Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is a rare treat for sky-watchers and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a celestial body that orbits the sun only once every 50,000 years. The comet made its closest pass around the sun on Jan. 12 and is now heading back out of the solar system, making its closest approach to Earth on Feb. 1. Canada is in the ideal position to spot the comet, and while it is currently too faint to see with the naked eye, it is expected to get brighter as the month progresses.

To catch a glimpse of the comet, you’ll need binoculars, and even then it can be tricky to find it in the night sky. It helps to use a site like TheSkyLive.com, which allows you to enter your location to find out the comet’s brightness, the constellation in which it can be found, and provides a map of its location. The comet is currently around a magnitude of 6.6, which is lower than the full moon’s brightness of -12.6. Astronomers are hoping the comet increases in brightness, but even if it doesn’t, you can still compare its brightness over the coming weeks. Also, make sure to look for the comet days ahead of its closest approach, as the moon will be almost fully illuminated on Feb. 1.

Paul Wiegert, a professor at Western University’s department of physics and astronomy, is excited to not only see the comet but to study it. Comets are essentially the leftovers or the ingredients of the planets and the rest of our solar system, and they can tell us a lot about the formation of our universe. For example, Comet NEOWISE put on a fine show in 2020 and Comet Leonard (C/2021 A1) disintegrated as it swung past the sun.

Catching a glimpse of the rare comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is a unique opportunity that won’t come around again for another 50,000 years, so make sure to take the time to look for it in the night sky and take part in this incredible cosmic experience.