Stargazers will get an opportunity early Thursday morning that only comes every 50,000 years.
The Green Comet, discovered by scientists last year, will reach its closest proximity to Earth. Though it will still be about 27 million miles away, it will be visible.
Researchers believe the comet was last visible from Earth during the Stone Age.
Daniel Horenstein with the Buhl Planetarium and Observatory at the Carnegie Science Center says comets get their hue as they move through the solar system.
"As the comet falls from the outer solar system through the inner solar system, sunlight causes this material around the comet to turn from ice into gas," he said. "As the sunlight filters through these carbon-containing substances, this is what gives a comet a green color."
Horenstein says while the comet may be intriguing because of its color, it's special because of what scientists can learn from it.
"When we're talking about color in astronomy, we're talking about what the universe is made out of. This is particularly exciting because comets are artifacts that are left over from the formation of the solar system over four billion years ago."
The comet will be most visible in the middle of the night between Feb. 1 and Feb. 2.
Horenstein says to locate it, find the Little Dipper.
"If we start at Ursa Minor and trace backwards, sort of along the handle of this Little Dipper, that will point you towards this comet," he said. "If you take your fist and you hold it out at arm's length, that will be about the distance away from Polaris, the North Star, to this comet."
He suggests using binoculars or a telescope. The Green Comet will be more visible in areas away from the city.
The comet does not pose a risk to Earth.
