This region of the night sky is due north as seen from the northern hemisphere (it's not actually visible at all from the southern hemisphere). MORE FROM FORBES 'Green Comet' Begins Closest Approach To Earth As A 'Snow Moon' Shines Near Mars: The Night Sky This Week By Jamie Carter Where is comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)?Ĭ/2022 E3 (ZTF) is currently in the constellation of Ursa Major, the Great Bear, which is best known for its recognisable asterism, the Big Dipper, also called The Plough. What nobody seems to be discussing is how bright the Moon is becoming. Because comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is closest to our planet this week, it should reach its very brightest before fading as it travels away from the inner solar system. That's what all the fuss is about this week.

Since then it’s been heading away from the Sun and out of the inner solar system, but on February 1, 2023, it will get closest to Earth.

It's actually just completed its latest orbit, getting closest to the Sun on January 12, 2023. It’s a comet-a ball of gas, rock and dust-that orbits the Sun roughly every 50,000 years.

MORE FROM FORBES When And Where To See The New 'Comet Of The Year' At Its Best By Jamie Carter What is comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)?

Stellarium web online star map