If you go to a high place, free from light pollution, and look toward the northern horizon tonight after dark, you may be able to see it with the naked eye. However, you will most likely need binoculars to see it clearly.

The comet was first discovered last year by the Zwicky Transient Facility, a telescope camera placed at Palomar Observatory in California, USA.

It has an exceptionally long orbit around the sun, taking 50,000 to complete its travels and passing closest to our sun on January 12. It was closest to earth last night, February 1.

Comets are small bodies made of ice and dust. Their orbits around the sun carry them from the distant outer parts of the solar system to the inner solar system, where they can become visible from earth.

When comets are close to the sun, they warm up. Sometimes—but not always—they develop distinctive gas and dust tails. The head of the comet can glow green due to the presence of diatomic carbon.

The best chance to see it will be when it is closest to earth, round about now. At this time, the comet will travel through a faint spectrum of stars called Camelopardalis. Good luck looking for the green Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF); remember to make a wish if you see it.

Callan Williamson and earthsky.org