Rare green comet headed towards Earth

An amazing phenomenon which only happens once every 50,000 years will appear in our skies on Wednesday night.

An event which only happens once every 50,000 years will be visible from Earth on Wednesday evening. Picture: Eliot Herman / EarthSky

An event which only happens once every 50,000 years will be visible from Earth on Wednesday evening.

According to space scientists, C/2022 E3 (ZTF) – more commonly known as the green comet – is set to make its return to the skies above Earth.

The comet, which is currently visible in the Northern Hemisphere, is made of ice, gas and dust and potentially holds secrets to how our planet and solar system were formed.

On Wednesday, Dr Rebecca Allen from the Swinburne Space Technology and Industry Institute told the ABC the green comet has likely travelled from the very edges of the solar system.

The comet reportedly made a close approach to the Sun in early January, but is now within view from Earth.

The mass appears green in colour, which Dr Allen said is due to the UV radiation from the Sun, which melts the gases and ice in the comet, which in turn causes a debris tail.

The green comet will be visible from the Southern Hemisphere on Wednesday night and later on in the week. Picture: NASA

The comet will be better spotted with a telescope or binoculars. Picture: Eliot Herman / EarthSky

Its green colour is due to a special kind of carbon contained in the comet. Dr Allen said the contents of the comet can help scientists determine how Earth gained water and life and how our solar system’s planets were created.

While some may be worried about its proximity to Earth, scientists have said viewing it is perfectly safe, as it is still one hundred times further away from our planet than the moon is.

Those of us in the Southern Hemisphere can prepare to get a glimpse from February 1 and it should still be visible for days after that.

It’ll be most visible near the consolation of Orion and better spotted with a telescope or binoculars.

Anyone wanting to view the magnificent comet is encouraged to find the darkest possible spot.

The comet was discovered in 2022 in California with the use of a wide-field camera.