The green comet was last seen 50,000 years ago due to its close proximity to Earth in the night sky

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A rare green comet, last seen some 50,000 years ago, is set to make its closest pass near Earth.

This celestial body is called C/2022 E3 (ZTF), and it descends from the Oort Cloud at the outer edge of the Solar System.

It will approach Earth on February 1, at a distance of about 45 million kilometers.

The ice ball orbits the sun once every 50,000 years, which means the last time it passed the planet was during the Stone Age — when Neanderthals roamed the Earth.

Dr Greg Brown, an astronomer at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, told the PA news agency: “The long-period comet C/2022 E3 is currently speeding through the solar system and won’t return for at least 50,000 years, assuming it ever does, so it’s your only chance.” in the age to see it.

“Its path across our sky takes it through the constellation of the Dragon Draco and it will pass between two bears, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, in late January through early February.”

C/2022 E3 was first observed in March 2022, using the Zwicky Transit Facility in California.

Its green glow is caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun illuminating the gases surrounding the comet’s surface.

C/2022 E3 recently became bright enough to be seen with the naked eye in areas with minimal light pollution.

Easiest to see is the brighter head of the comet, but if you’re lucky you might spot one with its tail pulling away from it

Dr. Greg Brown

Dr Brown told PA: “While it may become possible to see it with the naked eye from a very dark location, it is much better to point a pair of binoculars or a small telescope at it.

For observers in the UK, go after midnight when the comet is highest in the sky and try to find the faint green light coming from it.

“Easiest to see will be the comet’s brighter head, but if you’re lucky, you might spot one tail sticking away from it, each made of material shed from its rapidly rising icy surface.”

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