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Comet PAN-STARRS visible this weekend (NASA Science / March 8, 2013) |
This month, the Comet Pan-STARRS is expected to make its closest approach to the sun, potentially making the comet shine even more brilliantly when it appears at twilight low in the western sky.
If you plan to see it, you will need a bit of preparation , and great weather.
It won't be incredibly bright and is expected to be low on the western horizon. You'll need an unobstructed view of the night sky.
The comet was discovered in June 2011 by astronomers in Hawaii. The comet will start dimming after Sunday. However, the commet will appear close to the moon March 12 and March 13.
Later this year, another comet from the Oort Cloud could be the brightest comet to pass by the Earth in a generation. Comet ISON is expected to outshine every comet in recent memory when it makes its closest swing by the sun late November.
