News Comet PanStarrs / March 12 - Page 2

Hog's Gone Fishin · 03-05-2013, 08:59 AM

Looks like we will get a great opportunity to view this comet.
Another one to follow in Novenber may be as bright as the moon.

The outlook brightens for Comet PanSTARRS as sky show shifts
Minoru Yoneto

Observers in the Southern Hemisphere have been watching Comet PanSTARRS for weeks, but the Northern Hemisphere is due to get its first looks at one of the year's most eagerly anticipated sky extravaganzas this week. And there's good news for northerners: The up-and-down expectations for the cometary show are trending upward again.

"In the Southern Hemisphere we have a few days to enjoy it," Argentine photographer Victor Gabriel Bibe, one of many observers who have been tracking the comet's brightening glow, said in an email.

On Tuesday, PanSTARRS makes its closest approach to Earth. On Thursday or so, it should start becoming visible to Northern Hemisphere observers in the western sky, low to the horizon just after sunset. The best photo ops will come March 12 and 13, when PanSTARRS pairs up with the crescent moon. AdChoicesThe brightness of an astronomical object is measured by magnitude, with lower numbers denoting brighter objects. Magnitude +6 is about the limit for naked-eye observations under prime conditions. Magnitude +2 is equivalent to the brightness of Polaris, the North Star. Early on, astronomers said PanSTARRS could get to magnitude zero, putting it in a league with some of the brightest stars in the sky. More recently, they noted that the comet wasn't brightening as quickly as they originally thought and revised the forecast to around +2. Now, the consensus is that it could get to +1 or brighter — maybe not dazzling, but definitely not bad.

"As long as it continues its behavior for a few days, it looks like the Northern Hemisphere — even us city-dwellers — might get a pretty good view of this thing," said Karl Battams of the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington.

The comet was discovered in June 2011 by the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System, or Pan-STARRS, in Hawaii — which helps explain the genesis of its official name, Comet C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS). The "C" means that the comet is considered a non-periodic newbie, coming in for the first time from the Oort Cloud on the solar system's edge. The "L4" means it was the fourth comet discovered during the first half of June.

NASA

Even though PanSTARRS is still a few days away from Northern Hemisphere visibility, you can take advantage of these tips to maximize your comet-viewing experience:

•Scope out a spot with good western exposure and a minimum of trees, buildings or hills to spoil the view. PanSTARRS won't get very high in the sky, so you'll want to scan the horizon as soon as the sun goes down. But not before! It'd be a tragedy to damage your eyes for the sake of a comet.
•The farther you are from city lights and cloudy weather, the better you'll be able to see the comet. "I was very lucky to observe the comet, because in the area where I live, the weather is very unstable and the sky is always cloudy. Every time the sky clears, I attempt to observe," Bibe said.
•Although the comet is visible to the unaided eye, binoculars will enhance the view — particularly when it comes to seeing the tail. "To the naked eye, this comet has a stellar aspect. But with 10x50 binoculars you can see the tail clearly," Bibe said.
•Once it's visible in the Northern Hemisphere, the comet will rise higher in the sky on each succeeding night. If PanSTARRS follows the expected trend, the viewing should be best between March 10, when it makes its closest approach to the sun, and March 13 or so. After about that time, the glare of the waxing moon could take some of the shine off the comet. PanSTARRS is projected to fade from naked-eye visibility in April.
Advertise | AdChoicesAfter PanSTARRS: ISON
PanSTARRS is the first of two comets expected to take the spotlight this year. The other one is Comet ISON, which has the potential to get much, much brighter than PanSTARRS in November. Some experts are hoping it will equal the brightness of the full moon, although Battams says it's way too early to make firm predictions.

To prepare for ISON's arrival, Battams and other researchers are helping NASA organize a comet observing campaign. "We just want to make sure that all the major observatories are aware of this," Battams said.

ISON is expected to pass as close to the sun's surface as 684,000 miles (1.1 million kilometers), which could produce a dramatic brightening of the comet when it swings back out of the inner solar system. It could produce scientific insights as well.

"Sungrazing comets are unique objects that experience the most extreme thermal and gravitation forces our solar system has to offer them," the campaign's Web page says. "However, rarely do we get to see these objects more than a few hours before their demise. Comet ISON offers us the rare opportunity to study a sungrazer in great detail, for an extended period, and place it in the context of other comets."

For updates on the year of the comets, check in with the "Waiting for ISON" blog as well as SpaceWeather.com and the Remanzacco Observatory website, and follow @ISONUpdates on Twitter.

Planetman · 03-09-2013, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

Just checked the website and they are saying it should be visible tonight March 9th.

That's great, were it not for all the clouds and rain here.

EagleRob · 03-09-2013, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

You guys didn't put much value on Andy Reid either .

Was kinda playing on the PawnStars thing actually.

Wyatt Earp · 03-12-2013, 08:28 PM

Was able to see it this evening and took my first attempt at photographing a comet.

ozarkchief · 03-12-2013, 08:43 PM

Saw the PanStarrs comet through binoculars tonight...very cool sight.

EagleRob · 03-12-2013, 08:56 PM

Been freakin cloudy on the East Coast all week. If I can't get a look tomorrow it won't be until next Tues/Wed.

**Dave Lane** · 03-13-2013, 09:14 AM

Finally got it last night too long an exposure so everything moved a smidge...

Fish · 03-13-2013, 09:16 AM

Here's a good shot my buddy took last night:

mr. tegu · 03-13-2013, 09:20 AM

So in KC can we see it tonight?

**loochy** · 03-13-2013, 09:40 AM

Hog's Gone Fishin · 03-13-2013, 09:44 AM

Will have to take the kiddo out tonight for a look see.

Fish · 03-13-2013, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

So in KC can we see it tonight?

Yeah, but you'll likely need to get away from the majority of the light pollution from the city.

**Dave Lane** · 03-13-2013, 12:09 PM

Here's another one with slightly less exposure so it didn't move as badly.

**mlyonsd** · 03-13-2013, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Here's another one with slightly less exposure so it didn't move as badly.

Very cool DL.

Hopefully it stays clear here tonight.

**notorious** · 03-13-2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyatt Earp

Was able to see it this evening and took my first attempt at photographing a comet.

Holy crap that scene looks very familiar.

Wyatt Earp · 03-13-2013, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

Holy crap that scene looks very familiar.

Yup, flat land with a wind farm equals anywhere in southwest Kansas

03-05-2013, 08:59 AM
Hog's Gone Fishin Fish are scared of me Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1790477	Comet PanStarrs / March 12 Looks like we will get a great opportunity to view this comet. Another one to follow in Novenber may be as bright as the moon. The outlook brightens for Comet PanSTARRS as sky show shifts Minoru Yoneto Observers in the Southern Hemisphere have been watching Comet PanSTARRS for weeks, but the Northern Hemisphere is due to get its first looks at one of the year's most eagerly anticipated sky extravaganzas this week. And there's good news for northerners: The up-and-down expectations for the cometary show are trending upward again. "In the Southern Hemisphere we have a few days to enjoy it," Argentine photographer Victor Gabriel Bibe, one of many observers who have been tracking the comet's brightening glow, said in an email. On Tuesday, PanSTARRS makes its closest approach to Earth. On Thursday or so, it should start becoming visible to Northern Hemisphere observers in the western sky, low to the horizon just after sunset. The best photo ops will come March 12 and 13, when PanSTARRS pairs up with the crescent moon. AdChoicesThe brightness of an astronomical object is measured by magnitude, with lower numbers denoting brighter objects. Magnitude +6 is about the limit for naked-eye observations under prime conditions. Magnitude +2 is equivalent to the brightness of Polaris, the North Star. Early on, astronomers said PanSTARRS could get to magnitude zero, putting it in a league with some of the brightest stars in the sky. More recently, they noted that the comet wasn't brightening as quickly as they originally thought and revised the forecast to around +2. Now, the consensus is that it could get to +1 or brighter — maybe not dazzling, but definitely not bad. "As long as it continues its behavior for a few days, it looks like the Northern Hemisphere — even us city-dwellers — might get a pretty good view of this thing," said Karl Battams of the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington. The comet was discovered in June 2011 by the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System, or Pan-STARRS, in Hawaii — which helps explain the genesis of its official name, Comet C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS). The "C" means that the comet is considered a non-periodic newbie, coming in for the first time from the Oort Cloud on the solar system's edge. The "L4" means it was the fourth comet discovered during the first half of June. NASA Even though PanSTARRS is still a few days away from Northern Hemisphere visibility, you can take advantage of these tips to maximize your comet-viewing experience: •Scope out a spot with good western exposure and a minimum of trees, buildings or hills to spoil the view. PanSTARRS won't get very high in the sky, so you'll want to scan the horizon as soon as the sun goes down. But not before! It'd be a tragedy to damage your eyes for the sake of a comet. •The farther you are from city lights and cloudy weather, the better you'll be able to see the comet. "I was very lucky to observe the comet, because in the area where I live, the weather is very unstable and the sky is always cloudy. Every time the sky clears, I attempt to observe," Bibe said. •Although the comet is visible to the unaided eye, binoculars will enhance the view — particularly when it comes to seeing the tail. "To the naked eye, this comet has a stellar aspect. But with 10x50 binoculars you can see the tail clearly," Bibe said. •Once it's visible in the Northern Hemisphere, the comet will rise higher in the sky on each succeeding night. If PanSTARRS follows the expected trend, the viewing should be best between March 10, when it makes its closest approach to the sun, and March 13 or so. After about that time, the glare of the waxing moon could take some of the shine off the comet. PanSTARRS is projected to fade from naked-eye visibility in April. Advertise \| AdChoicesAfter PanSTARRS: ISON PanSTARRS is the first of two comets expected to take the spotlight this year. The other one is Comet ISON, which has the potential to get much, much brighter than PanSTARRS in November. Some experts are hoping it will equal the brightness of the full moon, although Battams says it's way too early to make firm predictions. To prepare for ISON's arrival, Battams and other researchers are helping NASA organize a comet observing campaign. "We just want to make sure that all the major observatories are aware of this," Battams said. ISON is expected to pass as close to the sun's surface as 684,000 miles (1.1 million kilometers), which could produce a dramatic brightening of the comet when it swings back out of the inner solar system. It could produce scientific insights as well. "Sungrazing comets are unique objects that experience the most extreme thermal and gravitation forces our solar system has to offer them," the campaign's Web page says. "However, rarely do we get to see these objects more than a few hours before their demise. Comet ISON offers us the rare opportunity to study a sungrazer in great detail, for an extended period, and place it in the context of other comets." For updates on the year of the comets, check in with the "Waiting for ISON" blog as well as SpaceWeather.com and the Remanzacco Observatory website, and follow @ISONUpdates on Twitter.
Posts: 40,311

03-12-2013, 08:28 PM	#18
Wyatt Earp Starter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Dodge City, Kansas Casino cash: $1624327	Was able to see it this evening and took my first attempt at photographing a comet. __________________
Posts: 355

03-12-2013, 08:43 PM	#19
ozarkchief Embrace the absurd Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Fayetteville, AR Casino cash: $8986750	Saw the PanStarrs comet through binoculars tonight...very cool sight.
Posts: 462

03-12-2013, 08:56 PM	#20
EagleRob Living Vicariously Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Leesburg, VA Casino cash: $10004900	Been freakin cloudy on the East Coast all week. If I can't get a look tomorrow it won't be until next Tues/Wed. __________________ Enjoy the ride up!
Posts: 372

03-13-2013, 09:14 AM	#21
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	Finally got it last night too long an exposure so everything moved a smidge... __________________ Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about RICO, espionage, sedition, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more. Last edited by Dave Lane; 03-13-2013 at 10:15 AM..
Posts: 40,584

03-13-2013, 09:16 AM	#22
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2368919	Here's a good shot my buddy took last night: __________________
Posts: 47,455

03-13-2013, 09:20 AM	#23
mr. tegu Forever Royal Join Date: Mar 2012 Casino cash: $2061300	So in KC can we see it tonight?
Posts: 24,014

03-13-2013, 09:40 AM	#24
loochy Hey Loochy, I'm hooome! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PooPooKaKaPeePeeShire Casino cash: $2230752	__________________ Hey Loochy, I'm hoooome!
Posts: 40,421

03-13-2013, 09:44 AM	#25
Hog's Gone Fishin Fish are scared of me Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1790477	Will have to take the kiddo out tonight for a look see.
Posts: 40,311

03-13-2013, 12:09 PM	#27
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	Here's another one with slightly less exposure so it didn't move as badly. __________________ Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about RICO, espionage, sedition, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
Posts: 40,584