How to see the green Comet 252P

Look quick before it's gone!

A pair of green comets have zipped frightfully close to Earth, and it may be possible to catch a glimpse of one from your backyard.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - Astronomers were caught by surprise when they detected a new comet on January 22 using the University of Hawaii PanSTARRS telescope in Maui. New comets are found all the time, but this one was on a close approach to Earth, following a larger, known comet.

The larger comet was designated 252P when it was discovered in April, 2000, and it passed close to Earth just days ago on March 22. The comet passed about 2.2 million miles away from Earth, which is 9 times the distance to the Moon. Earth was never in danger of collision, however scientists think a small meteor shower may occur between March 28 and 30 as Earth collides with dust and debris cast off from the comet.

The comet is very small, just over a kilometer in diameter. The only reason it is visible is because it is so close to Earth. However, it has brightened unexpectedly. Astronomers think it will reach 5th magnitude, which is about as bright as a faint star. It may be visible with the naked eye, but only from a dark sky location. It will be more easily seen with binoculars or a small telescope. It should  fade quickly from view, and will be impossible for most casual observers to see within just a few days.

The comet is low in the southern sky, above the tail in the constellation Scorpio, and it is moving quickly north. It will be visible about 90 minutes before sunrise.

The comet is green in color. Observers who look for the comet should expect to see a faint green fuzzy patch and that's it. The green color is the result of the comet's chemical composition. Green comets are less common than run-of-the-mill white ones, but are not particularly rare.

Another interesting feature is that this comet is actually one of a pair. A smaller comet (designated P/2016 BA14) was detected along the same orbit as 252P in January and astronomers believe the two are halves of the same body, which broke apart at some earlier point in history.

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