Comet PAN-STARRS to Make Northern Hemisphere Debut Tonight

A great treat is coming its way for the sky-watchers. The comet Pan-STARRS will be crossing the Northern Hemisphere sky in the coming days. For comet-lovers, it doesn’t get better than that. And although it won’t be as bright as previously predicted, it will still be more brilliant than any comet seen in recent years.

Known officially as C/2012 L4, the comet will be accessible to the naked eye, though binoculars will help spot it against the twilight sky. If weather doesn’t betray, Pan-STARRS could be as bright as a first-magnitude star on the brightness scale of night sky objects (the lower the number, the brighter the object).

The first appearance of the comet in the Northern Hemisphere is scheduled to Thursday, March 7. The comet has been delighting the eyes of observers in the Southern Hemisphere for weeks now.

For those willing to see the comet, the easiest way to spot is by looking for it in the west, just to the left of the point on your horizon where the sun sets, shortly after sunset beginning in the next few days. Remember, comets are slightly unpredictable, in particular their brightness. Also, observing locations vary widely in their suitability to observe objects close to the sun.

Places with a very low western horizon will be privileged in catching sight of the comet early. The farther south you are, the more likely you are to see it early. Any haze in the air will make it harder to see the comet.

Pan-STARRS will be at its brightest on Sunday (March 10) when it makes its closest approach to the sun. The comet will still be low in the western sky on Sunday, and may be lost in the sun's glare. It will fade in brightness over the next few days, but at the same time will be higher in the sky at sunset. SPACE.com will provide up-to-date information on sighting opportunities for the comet.

Pan-STARRS was discovered in June 2011 using the Pan-STARRS telescope located near the summit of Haleakala, on the island of Maui in Hawaii.