Saturday, March 9, 2013

Comet Pan-STARRS Makes an Appearance

Throughout the month of March, Comet PANSTARRS (C/2011 L4) barely peeked above the western horizon after sunset. While many observers around the world reported seeing its coma without a telescope, it never reached "naked eye" visibility from the suburbs of San Diego. Because it was so low in the sky it was difficult to locate using a small 60mm refractor telescope. With a little luck it might grow a little brighter in the next week or so as it climbs higher in the evening sky, but its predicted to fade as it heads out of the Solar System.

Here's a link to some star charts that might help you find this beautiful but somewhat elusive comet.

And here's an excellent video about Comet Pan-STARRS from NASA:





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