Keen stargazers will want to mark their calendars for February 1 when a rare comet will be making its way through the sky.
The comet C/2023 E3 (ZTF) hasn't been seen in 50,000 years when Neanderthals roamed the planet, and will likely never be seen again after this journey - so it's important not to miss out if you want to catch a glimpse.
It'll be the closest to Earth on the first day of next month, making it the perfect opportunity to watch the phenomenon. Following its 20-day journey around the sun, it'll then return deep into outer space.
According to Nasa, the comet was first discovered by astronomers using the wide-field survey camera at the Zwicky Transient Facility in March 2022.
Only by using a powerful telescope or binoculars can you see the so-called 'green' comet at the moment, but as it draws nearer to the Earth, you should be able to spot it.
On February 1, it will pass by a rich region of the sky over 26 million miles away. Unlike other comets, it may not have a long and bright tail, but you should still be able to spot it streaking through the darkness.
It's possible that our ancestors may have looked up at that very comet when it last passed by around 50,000 years ago, and this is likely the last time it'll ever appear again.
According to Royal Museums Greenwich, the visibility of the comet will be best in the pre-dawn hours this week if you use a telescope or binoculars, whilst towards the end of the month and start of February it will also be visible from the evening onwards.
It may also become visible to the naked eye if the sky is dark and clear enough.
If you want to avoid the bright light of the moon reducing chances of seeing the comet, check what time it will rise in your area and avoid attempting to observe at these times.
It's advised that you travel to an area where you can clearly see the sky and it's not obstructed by buildings and lights for the best chance of spotting it.
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