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What’s in the SKY?
OpticTracker Newsletter
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Northern hemisphere observers will be able to see Comet
PAN-STARRS (C/2011 L4) in the evening sky with
binoculars or a rich-field telescope around March 6 or 7. It
should appear just above the western horizon 30 minutes
after sunset for a full hour, according to Senior Editor
Richard Talcott of Astronomy Magazine. Talcott also
predicts that the visibility of the comet improves each
following day. If predictions hold true, it will reach its
brightest (perhaps 1st magnitude) on March 9 and 10 and
should be found 7° above the western horizon 30 minutes
after sunset. By then an observer can see it with the naked
eye if skies are reasonably clear and the western horizon is
unobstructed, although binoculars and telescopes will
definitely provide clearer and better views. “On the 12th,
PANSTARRS stands to the upper left of our satellite; the
next evening, the comet lies to the Moon’s lower right,”
according to Talcott. Although the comet will remain bright
well into April, it may become more and more difficult to
observe the comet after the middle of March because the
Moon will become brighter. Read this article by Talcott for
more information.
Finally something for the northern hemisphere observers: Comet PanFinally something for the northern hemisphere observers: Comet Pan--STARRSSTARRS
Click on the image above to view the
video in which Senior Editor Richard
Talcott of Astronomy Magazine provides
detailed information about Comet
PANSTARRS
According to Nasa Science, the best days to look may be March
12 and 13
Nasa Science also provides a video
introducing Comet PANSTARRS. Click the
picture above.
And there is more: Prepare to say hello to Comet Lemmon in April!And there is more: Prepare to say hello to Comet Lemmon in April!
Photo of Comet Lemmon glowing green caught on
camera by Australian astronomer Peter Ward from
his Barden Ridge Observatory on Feb. 4. From
Discovery News by Mason Major.
Celestron Comet Expert Tammy Plotner says that
the last time Comet Lemmon (C/2012 F6) visited
our Solar System was about 11,000 years ago. This
comet was visible with binoculars and telescopes
in January in New Zealand according to
Astrophotographer John Drummond from
Gisborne, New Zealand. It may become visible to
northern hemisphere after March 24 at which point
it reaches the closest point in its orbit to the sun.
Bob King from Universe Today suggests that
binoculars should help find the comet and reveal
the details of tail structure, even though it is
possible that the comet is visible with the unaided
eye.