Sunset Comet

Source - NASA Science News for March 15, 2013

Comet Pan-STARRS has survived its encounter with the sun and is now emerging from twilight in the sunset skies of the northern hemisphere. A NASA spacecraft has beamed back spectacular pictures of a "wild and ragged" tail behind the comet's active nucleus.

The complete article can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2013/15mar_sunsetcomet/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1cYfPrHoJw



License: Standard YouTube License

Bright Comet Pan-STARRS Update

Source - Space Weather News for March 9, 2013: http://spaceweather.com

BRIGHT COMET: This weekend, bright Comet Pan-STARRS is making a close approach to the sun inside the orbit of Mercury where fierce solar heat is helping the comet reach naked-eye visibility. Observers in the northern hemisphere are making their first sightings now as the comet emerges from solar glare low in the western sky after sunset.  Soon, the comet could be widely visible to casual sky watchers--no telescope required.  Visit http://spaceweather.com for images, sky maps and observing tips.

Comet Pan-STARRS Approaches the Sun

Source - Space Weather News for March 3, 2013: http://spaceweather.com

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.com for current images and updates.

A Possible Naked-eye Comet in March

Source - NASA Science News for Feb. 6, 2013

A comet falling in from the distant reaches of the solar system could become a naked-eye object in early March. This is Comet Pan-STARRS's first visit to the inner solar system, so surprises are possible as its virgin ices are exposed to intense solar heating for the first time.

The complete article can be found here: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2013/06feb_panstarrs/

A companion video is posted below and can also be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZlenAvqLCI




License: Standard YouTube License