Celestial Hunt: The Quest to Capture Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is a rare celestial visitor currently making its way through our night skies in early 2023. Discovered by the Zwicky Transient Facility in March 2022, this comet has captured the attention of astronomers and stargazers alike due to its long-period orbit, having last passed Earth around 50,000 years ago. The comet's distinctive green glow, a result of diatomic carbon reacting with sunlight, makes it a striking object for observation. This rare comet, ago, has become the highlight of 2023 for stargazers, and we didn’t want to miss the chance to observe something so extraordinary.

Planning the Comet Hunt

The excitement began when we started planning our comet hunt for C/2022 E3 (ZTF). Everyone in our group was thrilled about the prospect of witnessing this rare celestial event. The next challenge was finding the perfect location to observe the comet. In India, it’s notoriously difficult to find a spot free from light pollution, which is essential for stargazing.

We spent hours inquiring about potential viewing locations, scouring the internet, and making phone calls. One memorable instance was when we contacted a property in Kasarsai. We asked if we could set up our equipment to stargaze, and to our surprise, they were completely agreeable. They didn’t charge us anything since we wouldn’t be bringing tents; they simply welcomed us to their land. However, explaining what a comet is proved to be a challenge, leaving us uncertain about whether it would even be visible from that location.

With time running short—only a few weeks remained before the comet's peak visibility—we knew we had to secure a spot quickly. Next, we reached out to a beautiful place called Nisargshala. This time, fortune smiled upon us. We spoke with Hemant, the owner, who turned out to be a fellow astronomer and even owned a telescope himself. He confirmed that the comet would indeed be visible from his property and mentioned that he had been tracking it for some time. With this valuable information, we felt ready to move forward.

We secured our booking for six people and began counting down the days. In the days leading up to our trip, my excitement mingled with nerves, as none of us had ever done anything quite like this before. I found myself diving deep into research, trying to understand how best to spot the comet. My curiosity led me to check the altitude of the comet as well as the location of Nisargshala on Google Maps.

Situated among mountains, I initially believed the comet would be just above the peaks and thus barely visible. However, it wasn't until we arrived that I realized my calculations were off, the comet would actually be directly overhead. It was amusing to think that no mountain is tall enough to cover the entire sky overhead.

The Journey to Nisargshala

The day had finally arrived for our much-anticipated comet hunt. Excitement filled the air as we packed our dinner and carefully loaded the equipment into the car, ready for an unforgettable night. Our destination was nestled far from the city, near Torna Fort, and we chose the scenic Pabe Ghat route for the drive. We set off from Pune around 4 p.m., with our first stop planned at Khadakwasla Dam. The serene beauty of the dam offered a perfect backdrop for a short break, where we enjoyed evening snacks while admiring the peaceful view of the water.

By 6 p.m., we reached Pabe Ghat, just in time to catch the sunset. From the viewpoint, we were greeted by a stunning panorama of Rajgad and Torna Fort, with the sky transitioning into beautiful shades of orange and purple.

Capturing the last rays of the setting sun, we spent some time absorbing the scenery. As dusk settled in, the night sky began to unveil itself. Jupiter had already appeared, glowing brightly on the horizon, while Mars stood out with its distinctive red hue. We even spotted a few satellites gliding across the sky, adding to the magic of the moment.

It was now time to continue our journey, and we made our way to the village of Velhe. From there, a winding ghat road would take us to our final destination, Pasali. The road from Velhe to Pasali was rough and surrounded by dense forests, creating a remote and slightly eerie atmosphere. With no streetlights, the path was lit only by our headlights, and the silence of the forest heightened our sense of isolation. As we navigated the rugged road, our imaginations ran wild, and we couldn’t help but share thoughts about the possibilities of being stopped on this desolate route.

The only comfort we found during this part of the drive was the view outside the car windows. The night sky, now completely free of light pollution, revealed more stars than we had ever seen before. Eventually, we reached a plateau at the top of the ghat, and we decided to stop and step outside for a better look. The surrounding area was pitch black, but above us, the sky was ablaze with stars. It was then that we realized we were standing at the Torna Fort viewpoint, under the silent watch of this historic site.

Feeling a renewed sense of adventure, we pressed on and finally reached the village of Pasali, where Nisargshala awaited. The sight of parked cars and the gathering of people there for stargazing was a relief after traveling on such isolated roads for hours. Hemant greeted us warmly upon arrival and led us to our tents. With a sense of excitement and anticipation, we unpacked our equipment and began setting up for the night’s stargazing adventure.

Setting Up and the First Glimpse of the Night Sky

After settling in, we wasted no time setting up our equipment. Our setup included my Kson 130/900 mm (5-inch) Newtonian telescope mounted on an alt-azimuth mount, while Rohit had his Sony A7 III mounted on a tripod. The field was buzzing with activity as other astronomers prepared their own equipment. Hemant, the property owner and a fellow enthusiast, had a GSO Dobsonian telescope—a 10-inch giant that immediately caught our attention.

Even before the sky was ready for deep observations, we were already captivated by the stars that were beginning to emerge. However, the moon was still up, its brightness overpowering the finer details of the night sky, so we decided to capture its beauty while we waited.

We pointed our telescope towards Jupiter, and the view was nothing short of breathtaking. The red bands of the gas giant were clearly visible, mesmerizing us with their vivid contrast.As the moon finally set, a darkness spread across the sky, as if a curtain had been pulled back. The stars that had been hidden from view now filled the sky in overwhelming numbers. The excitement among us grew—it was time to start the hunt for Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF).

The Hunt for Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF)

With our star tracker apps in hand, we realized the comet was positioned close to Mars. We began scanning the area around Mars, adjusting our equipment in search of the elusive object. The tension was palpable as we swept the sky with our telescopes, eager to catch a glimpse of this rare celestial visitor. And then, just as our patience was starting to wear thin, Hemant spotted it.

Then, Rohit called out, “We’ve got it!” His camera had picked up a remarkable shot, focused on Mars, with the comet clearly visible. The green glow of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was unmistakable as it passed by the red planet, its tail faintly glowing in the dark. The photo captured exactly what we had been hoping for—a clear, stunning image of the comet in all its beauty. The comet's distinctive green glow, a result of diatomic carbon reacting with sunlight, makes it a striking object for observation.

Shifting Focus and a Night to Remember

We were all thrilled, the excitement palpable, having captured something truly remarkable. But the night was far from over, and with the sky so dark and clear, we decided to shift our focus to other celestial wonders. The conditions were perfect—so dark that we could see countless stars and objects with the naked eye. Among the highlights were the Orion Nebula, a massive stellar nursery glowing faintly in the distance, and the Pleiades star cluster, a beautiful group of stars clustered together like jewels scattered across the night sky.

Hemant, ever the generous guide, began pointing out various constellations and deep sky objects, explaining their significance and adding depth to what we were witnessing. The cold had started to settle in, much more intense than we were used to in the city. Despite the chill, we stayed out as long as we could, soaking in the brilliance of the sky. Eventually, satisfied with everything we had seen and captured, we decided to call it a night.

As we climbed into our tents, the excitement from the comet hunt still lingered, and the thought of sleeping under such a magnificent sky was calming. The next morning, after a restful night, we gathered for breakfast and shared stories with fellow astronomers who had also spent the night stargazing. We had an engaging conversation with Hemant, who encouraged us to keep pursuing this passion, reminding us of how rewarding it can be.

With a sense of fulfillment, we packed up and headed back to the city, carrying with us memories of the starry night and a promise to return for another adventure under the sky.