Comet set to pass by Earth for the first time since Neanderthals existed 50,000 years ago is revealed in a new image

• A comet discovered in March made its last approach to Earth 50,000 years ago
• It is set to come within 26 million miles of Earth on February 1
• Astronomers shared a new image of the comet, revealing its coma and dusty tail for the first time

By Stacy Liberatore For Dailymail.com

A comet not seen since Neanderthals walked the Earth is set to make a return trip - and astronomers have shared the first detailed image of the 'cosmic snowball.'

Formally known as C/2022 E3 (ZTF), the comet orbits the sun every 50,000 years and is set to make its closest approach to our planet on February 1, 2023.

E3 was discovered in March, but scientists recently snapped the first detailed photo revealing its brighter greenish coma and a yellowy dust tail.

While the comet is too dim to see without a telescope, it should be visible to the naked eye when it is roughly 26 million miles away.

 

E3 was discovered in March, but scientists recently snapped the first detailed photo revealing its brighter greenish coma and a yellowy dust tail