Comet Pan-STARRS Approaches the Sun‏

[Dingo]

Space Weather News for March 3, 2013



NAKED-EYE COMET: Comet Pan-STARRS (C/2011 L4) is now inside the orbit of Mercury and it is brightening as it approaches the sun. Observers in the southern hemisphere say the comet can be seen with the naked eye even through city lights. Currently, it is about as bright as the stars of the Big Dipper (magnitude +2 to +3). The comet could become even brighter when it moves into northern hemisphere skies in the second week of March. Check http://spaceweather.comfor current images and updates.

[Mike Mitchell]

I'm finding it a bit tricky to get lay-person instructions to view it. So I posted on the comets Facebook page. With luck, I'll have a look tonight.