Comet C/2011 L4 Panstarrs - Heads Up

[Double Kick Drum]

I have managed to extract some data on Comet Panstarrs from CdC of its position and expected magnitude up to the end of May.

Some interesting dates to note are between the 3rd and 6th April, when it brushes past M31 at around the magnitude 5 mark.

Remember rise, culmination and setting tmes will vary slightly depending on where in the UK you are observing from (or significantly if elsewhere).

Hope this is useful.

C_2011 L4 Panstarrs.xlsx

[gkec]

Also remember the magnitudes are "predicted" and comets are notoriously hard to predict. There is quite an animated discussion on the comet newsgroup about how just bright it is going to be. Fact is no one knows. Hopefully it will be good otherwise we will have to wait for ISON.

[Double Kick Drum]

Also remember the magnitudes are "predicted" and comets are notoriously hard to predict. There is quite an animated discussion on the comet newsgroup about how just bright it is going to be. Fact is no one knows. Hopefully it will be good otherwise we will have to wait for ISON.

Yes I appreciate the predictive nature of CdC and some revised estimates are a little more pessimistic. I would take a magnitude 3 comet as it would be only my second visible to the naked eye.

Fingers crossed it doesn't dissappoint!

[Dave]

That's part of the fun with comets.

You really do not know what they will be like until they perform, or NOT!

The uncertainty of it all and anticipation are two of the many things I love about this hobby.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

The data over here show it is already at mag 8 (observed, not predicted). Some finder charts available too. Should be interesting for northern observers as from March or so.

[Moonshane]

sizzle, sizzle! let's hope it does get to where we hope and avoids break up (unless after it's back around the sun).

[iamjulian]

Just been looking at the path on calsky and stellarium. For us in the UK, it is going to be annoyingly low in the west just after sunset (when it is at it's brightest at least). It gets much better/higher as we move through into April, but it is fading all the while. It don't think people realise this - most are probably expecting it to be overhead

[Double Kick Drum]

Just been looking at the path on calsky and stellarium. For us in the UK, it is going to be annoyingly low in the west just after sunset (when it is at it's brightest at least). It gets much better/higher as we move through into April, but it is fading all the while. It don't think people realise this - most are probably expecting it to be overhead

Yes, by the time it becomes circumpolar it will be just better than magnitude 5 (assuming predictions are correct).

I think the 15th / 16th of March is the earliest chance of catching it (from the UK) but as you say, it will be low in the West.

I also wanted to flag up its close pass with M31, the Andromeda galaxy. Might be a fine binocular sight.

Clear skies!

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Mag 5 when it is overhead is still very good. I will try to bag it well before then, however. Fingers crossed for clear skies after March 15.

[Photosbykev]

this was recent calsky output for mid March, using Lucksall, Hereford as the observing location

and one from Starry Night

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Handy charts. thanks for that

[Supercelts7]

Thank you for this topic, it has answered all my questions on this subject.

[Paul M]

I'm really looking forward to this one.

It's some years since I saw a naked eye comet. Living on the coast I have an excellent western horizon just 5 minutes drive away.

I seem to remember my last comet was a sungrazer that had a rather nice tail sweeping up from the twilit horizon. I'd settle for one like that

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I will probably look up a place just outside the city. Our landscape here is suitably flat

[Dave]

I have now put animations of the comets on my Youtube page.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Eagleseye45

Dave

[swedonator]

I did just read that Panstarrs maybe won't be visible for the naked eye. I do not have any link, but I did read it in the Sky & telescope app.

[Double Kick Drum]

I did just read that Panstarrs maybe won't be visible for the naked eye. I do not have any link, but I did read it in the Sky & telescope app.

Latest I know of is that it is predicted to peak around magnitude 3 (S&T Jan 18th Update), a couple of magnitudes down on CdC's estimate. Let's hope the expected maximum magnitude isn't revised down any more.

[Astrobits]

Latest observations show that it is holding to the expected mag 3 max

Nigel

[Astrobits]

Apologies to Seiichi Yoshida's "weekly information about bright comets" web site for the graph in my last post.

Nigel

[swedonator]

Well, that's great! Wish for clear night/days in mars :-)

[andrew63]

Mag. 3 would still be a good comet - and with a nice tail would be very good indeed !

andrew

[Vega]

Some path charts available on mattastro for Panstarrs and Ison

[Double Kick Drum]

Latest observations show that it is holding to the expected mag 3 max

Nigel

Mag. 6 observations in already. Encouraging stuff.

Be interesting to see when (hopefully, rather than if) SGL members from the Southern hemisphere start posting observations. Not seen any yet.

Thanks for sharing.

[Paul M]

It turns out I'll be Tenerife in mid March around the time of best viewing.

Hopefully there will be some great views to be had!

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[Paul M]

Just thinking aloud, and but what do you all think my chances are of seeing the new moon silhouetted against Panstarrs tail?

SkySafari shows this as my view from Tenerife on the 13th:

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