Conditions: Baltimore, Maryland, 03/28/2024 05:30:04 pm
Temperature

52°

Cloudy

34°

Dew Point
Relative Humidity

50%

Feels Like

52°

Wind (NNW)

8mph

Air Pressure

29.9

Sun
Sun Rise

06:56 AM

Sun Set

07:26 PM

Day Length

12:30 Hours

Difference

2 min 34 sec gain

Moon
Moon Rise

11:05 PM

Moon Set

08:19 AM

Next: Last Quarter

Apr 01,2024

Moon Phase

Waning Gibbous

Climate
Average Low

37°

58°

Average High
Record Low

21°


(1982)

87°


(1945)
Record High
Conditions

Green Comet Closest To Earth Tonight February 1 See Live Or Online Stream

space
NASA

February 1, 2023

Tonight may be the astronomical event of the year. A recently discovered comet C/2022 E3, also known as the Green Comet, is making its closest approach to Earth since the Stone Age. During this perigee, it will pass about 26 million miles away. That is 28% of the distance we are from the sun but 100 times farther than the moon. It is all relative perspective.

Tonight will be the best chance to maybe see with the naked eye or simple binoculars.  More on the location below.

Best Photo Of The Green Comet

From Clem Fischer | AstroFisching in the UK.

Note: The ion tail and anti-tail structure are a result of heating from our sun resulting in ice and material turning to gas. This appears to get longer as it gets closer to the sun.  The solar wind will always push it away from the sun, so this is not an indication of the movement as the tail is not along the prior path, just away from the sun.

Green-Comet-Photo-C-2022-E3

 

Just Getting To Know This

This comet was only just discovered last March 2, 2022, by astronomers using the Zwicky Transient Facility’s wide-field survey camera at the Palomar Observatory in San Diego County, California.

It made the closest approach to the sun on January 12, but is only making it’s closest approach to Earth today.

The track has been mathematically extrapolated to show C/2022 E3 has an orbit around our sun of around 50,000 years. That means it last passed by Earth during the interglacial Stone Age.

Green-Comet Orbit-Earth-February-1

 

This is circumpolar, meaning it remains above the horizon or doesn’t set. For us it will appear to the North, near the North Star Polaris. There is a green tint to the color, and some talented night photographers have been able to capture it.

It will be seen in the Northwest, but become more visible to the Southern Hemisphere by Friday.

 

Visibility

6:49 p.m. EST on Wednesday (Feb. 1) it will be seen 49 degrees over the northern horizon.

9:46 p.m. EST: The comet will climb will apex (reach the highest point) at 58 degrees over the northern horizon.

5:57 a.m. EST : It will disappear in the twilight around dawn light on Feb. 2 while, it should be near 30 degrees over the horizon to the north.

 

Comet Viewing Suggestions:

(online resources and video link is below)

  1. You need a clear sky to your NORTH.
  2. Allow time for your eyes to adjust to the dark. At minimum 10 to 15 minutes.
  3. Get away from obstructions. These include urban light pollution, buildings, trees, or hills in your way.
  4. It will be dim. No promises to see with a naked eye. Better chance with binoculars or a telescope.

 

Green Comet Photos

Our friend Peter Forster captured this from central Virginia last week.

 

Noticing The Change:

Also Seen From Virginia

 

Another Winning Photo And More Info

 

 

Resources: From The Sky Live

Watch Live Online

A free webcast will be broadcast starting at 11 PM (Feb 1) from space.com

Click here for that viewing window.

 

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Also See:

Winter History: Low Snow And Late Starts

See my research based on Baltimore data since 1883.

 

 

NOAA Outlook: Colder Start To February

Click here for the full report

NOAA Temperature Outlook February Cold

 

 

STEM Assemblies/In School Fields Trips Are Back

Click to see more and ‘Book’ a visit to your school

 

My Winter Outlook: Not A Typical La Niña!

I see many factors to support colder influence with multiple systems. Early and later in winter. Check it out.

https://justinweather.com/2022/11/22/winter-outlook-2023-for-snow-not-typical-la-nina-plus-polar-vortex-disruption/

 

 

Also See The Winter Outlook Series:

Atmospheric Memory Suggests Active Winter Storm Pattern Outlook

 

 

Winter Outlook 2023 From NOAA Very Different Than Farmers Almanacs

Farmer’s Almanac Comparison

Winter Outlook 2023 Early Look At Snow From Two Farmers Almanacs

 

Triple Dip La Niña Winter

https://justinweather.com/2022/09/09/winter-outlook-2023-la-nina-triple-dip-expectations/

 

 

 

CONNECTION TO WINTER?

If you want a snowy winter, this is what you might want to look for in the rest of the tropical season.

Record August For No Named Tropical Storms: Closer Look At Snow Following

 

Wooly Bear Caterpillars

Winter Weather Outlook From The Wooly Bear Caterpillar

 

Persimmon Seeds

Winter Weather Outlook: Persimmon Seeds And Snow Folklore

 

Click to see Top 20 and MORE

Winter Weather Folklore Top 20 And More Outlook Signals From Nature For Cold And Snow

 

 

 

 

Normals And Records: Maryland and Baltimore Climate History

 

Please share your thoughts, best weather pics/videos, or just keep in touch via social media