Certainly, none of even your 12th generation great grandchildren will see it. Perhaps no human ever again will. So -- do at least give it a shot -- go out after 10 pm, brave the cold. . . and at least. . . look. I will, since we are likely to have fairly-clear skies -- even with the city's light pollution, it might be detectable with binoculars. Here's a bit, but tonight will be your best chance as it will dim throughout February now:
. . .After midnight Tuesday, into Wednesday, the comet will reach its closest point to Earth, known as perigee. Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) hasn't been this close in 50,000 years and according to some predictions, it may never be seen again. [It is very small, tiny, in fact, by space science standards -- and thus easily pulled away, by any larger bodies' gravitational tugs. . . .
[O]n the early morning hours of Wednesday (February 1), the comet will be in the constellation Camelopardalis, above the North Star, in the northern skies, but below the Moon (and to the left of it) for most of the night.
While at perigee, the comet will be within 26 million miles (42 million kilometers) of Earth, equal to roughly 28% of the distance between the Sun and Earth. . . .
Now you know. Do go out, and have an. . . adventure, tonight -- knowing some sitting around a communal campfire on these plains likely looked up and saw it, 50,000 years ago. And they. . . wondered. So should. . . you. Do. . . go enjoy. And do remember those you visited, those who passed this way for the last time seven years ago now, later this week. Smile.
नमस्ते
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