Comet 2011/L4 (PANSTARRS)

Image credit: BBC Sky at Night Magazine (March Edition)

The first of the exciting comets visible during 2013 is now observable for astronomers in the northern hemisphere.  Comet 2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) was discovered during June 2011 by astronomers at the University of Hawaii using the Pan-STARRS telescope on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

At the time of discovery, the comet was at a distance of around 700 million miles from the Sun (beyond the orbit of Jupiter) and at perihelion (the closest approach on its orbit to the Sun) on 10th March 2013 it passed at a distance of around 0.3 AU.  The comet made its closest approach to Earth on 5th March 2013 at a distance of 1.09 AU.  Comet PANSTARRS is described as a non-periodic comet with an estimated orbit of around 106,000 years.

At the time of discovery, the comet was estimated to achieve an apparent magnitude of 0 but further observations during its orbit have resulted in this estimated magnitude being reduced as is normally the case with comets due to their unexpected behaviour.  Current estimates place the apparent magnitude at around +3.5.

Image credit: BBC Sky at Night Magazine (March Edition)

So how can you see comet PANSTARRS?  The comet is placed low in the west during evening twilight and rising higher in altitude through the next few weeks progressing through the constellation of Pisces.  A pair of binoculars suitable for astronomy such as 10×50 will suffice for observation. During the 1st week of April, the comet will appear to pass M31 (the Andromeda galaxy) so may make an ideal target for astrophotographers.  Due to its low altitude during March, an observing site with low horizons will be required just after sunset.  For SARAS members, the site at Ravenscar used for our annual Messier Marathon will be a suitable location.

If any members are lucky enough to observe or even image the comet, please let us know so details can be included in our monthly skynotes.