A bright green celestial phenomenon is saluting our planet once again after 50,000 years.

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) hasn't made a close approach to Earth since the last ice age and the extinction of the Neanderthals.

On February 1, Comet ZTF reached its closest position to Earth and is now visible all night long in northern latitudes. However, NASA predicts it will gradually become harder to observe in the coming weeks.

Comets are cosmic snowballs consisting of ice and dust that orbit the Sun. When a comet comes close to the Sun, its ice and dust vapourise, giving it a fuzzy appearance and a tail when viewed through a telescope.

Photos: Dan Bartlett handout via Reuters, Dan Bartlett via AP
A bright green celestial phenomenon is saluting our planet once again after 50,000 years. Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) hasn't made a close approach to Earth since the last ice age and the extinction of the Neanderthals. On February 1, Comet ZTF reached its closest position to Earth and is now visible all night long in northern latitudes. However, NASA predicts it will gradually become harder to observe in the coming weeks. Comets are cosmic snowballs consisting of ice and dust that orbit the Sun. When a comet comes close to the Sun, its ice and dust vapourise, giving it a fuzzy appearance and a tail when viewed through a telescope. Photos: Dan Bartlett handout via Reuters, Dan Bartlett via AP
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