Dubbed the Christmas comet because of its greenish color, C/2022 E3 makes its rare appearance in the winter of 2022/23,
reaching its closest approach to the Earth on February 1st 2023 before heading back out again on its 50,000+ year journey.
The comet was discovered on 2 March 2022 by Bryce Bolin and Frank Masci at the Polamar observatory in California. It's estimatted to have
an orbit of some 50,000 years or more and is inclined to the ecliptic at 109.17 degrees. It stays in tropical Aquarius for most of its journey
except when it comes close to Earth.
Below is a rough ephemeris of the comet through the tropical zodiac signs for the years 1600 to 2500 AD.
1700 Jan 01 = 07 Aqu 45 1800 Jan 01 = 08 Aqu 43 1950 Jan 01 = 09 Aqu 18 1975 Jan 01 = 08 Aqu 39 2000 Jan 01 = 07 Aqu 22 2005 Jan 01 = 06 Aqu 47 2010 Jan 01 = 05 Aqu 54 2015 Jan 01 = 04 Aqu 18 2017 Jan 01 = 03 Aqu13 2018 Jan 01 = 02 Aqu 27 2019 Jan 01 = 01 Aqu 26
Beginning in mid 2019 the comet finally leaves its very long
2019 Aug 20 = 30 Cap00
Beginning in mid 2022 the comet begins to speed through
2022 Jul 23 = 30 Sag 00 The comet begins its outbound journey on Feb 01/02 2023.
2023 Jun 24 = 00 Can 00
Beginning in 2029 and lasting until 2040 the comet dances on the
2029 Oct 24 = 30 Aqu 00
On June 5th 2040 the comet moves permanently
2050 Jan 01 = 24 Aqu 28 back to home |