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Green Comet over Colwell as Islanders look up

The green comet over the Isle of Wight in a fantastic photo by Peter Scotcher. <i>(Image: Peter Scotcher.)</i>
The green comet over the Isle of Wight in a fantastic photo by Peter Scotcher. (Image: Peter Scotcher.)

Photographer Pete Scotcher has shared his incredible photo of the green comet over the Island with the Isle of Wight County Press.

Last seen in the Stone Age, Peter snapped his photo if its return from a vantage point at Colwell, last week.

Tonight, it makes its closet pass to the Earth - and while comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) has been visible for a few days, for those with binoculars and telescopes, we should be able to see it without them (depending on the weather and how dark the sky is where you are).

It will still be 28 million miles away, but it will be visible across the northern and southern hemispheres.

Isle of Wight County Press:
Isle of Wight County Press:

By Jack Downer

Meanwhile, Jack Downer also shared his photo with us (above).

He said: "The comet doesn’t appear to have a tail in the image, as the tail is really faint and requires proper professional equipment to pick it up.

"However you can see its recognisable green colour."

Discovered on March 2, 2022, by Zwicky Transient Facility in California, it is thought to have originated from the outskirts of our solar system, in the Oort Cloud.


We would love to share your photos of green comet C/2022 E3!


So far, the comet has been at its most visible before dawn.

From now, it will be more viewable at other times and will be at its brightest tonight into tomorrow, Thursday, February 2.

The moon may make it harder to see, however.

How to find it: Wrap up warm, check the weather and use an astronomy app to help you pinpoint it, near Polaris, the North Star.