Quincy Astronomy Club to discuss comet that won’t be seen again for 50,000 years

QUINCY — Astronomers using the wide-field survey camera at the Zwicky Transient Facility discovered a comet in March 2022 that would have its closest approach to earth in February 2023.

The Quincy Astronomy Club will present a class at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at John Wood Community College in Room A021 for the public to learn more about this comet, other celestial visitors and solar system events. The lecturer will be Bob Weirather, a retired engineer and an amateur astronomer with decades of experience and knowledge.

The comet’s official title is C/2022 E3 ZTF, but its nickname is the “Green” comet due to its color. This comet will be visible in the northern night skies with binoculars and maybe with the naked eye. It will be visible through January and early February. Its closest approach to earth will on Feb. 1-2. It will not pass this way again for another 50,000 years.

The Astronomy Club was formed by local amateur astronomers. It seeks to teach, explore and expand minds about space and the universe. Lectures are held monthly, usually on the last Thursday of the month. The club also holds monthly evening observing sessions as weather and observing conditions permit. Local amateurs with their telescopes guide the observing sessions.

For more information, contact Weirather at 217-242-7366 or newideas21@comcast.net.