Catch this celestial spectacle this weekend or you’ll have to wait several million years

by Keith Burbank, Bay City News Foundation February 3, 2023January 31, 2023

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) emits a green trail as it streaks through the night sky on Jan. 27, 2023. Bay Area stargazers can get a better look at the rare visitor at the Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland this weekend. (Alessandro Bianconi/Wikipedia CC BY-SA 2.0)

A comet that has been out of sight for millions of years will be visible through this weekend from Oakland, according to the Chabot Space and Science Center.

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is making an appearance for the first time since the Stone Age and will be visible with binoculars or a telescope. The best time for viewing is after 9 p.m.

Comet gazers can see it in the sky between the Big Dipper and the North Star in the Little Dipper. Light pollution will prevent the comet from being captured by the naked eye.

Visitors to the Chabot Space and Science Center in the Oakland hills can get a glimpse of the flying object for free via one of the center’s telescopes on Friday or Saturday night. The center offered a similar viewing schedule this past weekend.

Viewing hours are 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The center is located at 10000 Skyline Blvd. in Oakland.

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