Comet C/2011 L4 Pan-STARRS

Like so many other amateur astronomers, I am eagerly awaiting the appearance of Comet C/2011 L4 Pan-STARRS.

The comet was discovered in June of 2011, by the Pan-STARRS survey telescope atop Haleakala, Maui. The comet will pass closest to earth on March 5th, at a distance of 1.09 au. Perihelion, the comet’s closest approach to the Sun, occurs early on March 10th UT.

For northern hemisphere observers the comet is still quite low, just rising out of the Sun’s glare. Over the next week it will rise above the sunset, and will be 12° above the horizon at sunset on Saturday, March 9th.

Initial predictions were quite optimistic with this comet, indicating a possible -1 magnitude for the comet. Reality seems to be somewhat more restrained, with a peak somewhere between magnitude one and two being more likely. Reports indicate that the comet has brightened to about 2nd magnitude, bright enough to be easily seen without optical aid.

Even more convenient, the comet will be well placed for observation this coming weekend. With new moon occurring on March 11th, this will be the prime weekend for a telescope outing. Amateur astronomers everywhere are already planing for this weekend. Our local club is no exception, expect a good crowd of telescopes to be at the Mauna Kea VIS this weekend. Myself? I will probably setup at the Substation site, just across the road from the VIS. The site offers a much better western horizon, which is blocked from the VIS by a line of pu’u, old cinder cones.

I will be taking photo gear, looking to get a decent photo of the comet. Stay tuned to Darker View to see the results if I meet with any success.

C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) Epoch 2013 Apr. 18.0 TT = JDT 2456400.5 T 2013 Mar. 10.1696 TT MPC q 0.301542 (2000.0) P Q z -0.000093 Peri. 333.6517 +0.4100668 +0.1004726 +/-0.000000 Node 65.6658 +0.9078310 +0.0505875 e 1.000028 Incl. 84.2072 -0.0876819 +0.9936529 From 1372 observations 2011 May 21-2013 Feb. 21, mean residual 0".4.

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C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) Epoch 2013 Apr. 18.0 TT = JDT 2456400.5 T 2013 Mar. 10.1696 TT                                  MPC q   0.301542             (2000.0)            P               Q z  -0.000093       Peri.  333.6517      +0.4100668      +0.1004726 +/-0.000000       Node    65.6658      +0.9078310      +0.0505875 e   1.000028       Incl.   84.2072      -0.0876819      +0.9936529 From 1372 observations 2011 May 21-2013 Feb. 21, mean residual 0".4.

The latest orbital elements from the MPC

Another interesting opportunity will come on March 12th, when a slim crescent Moon will join the comet in the sky. A 1.4 day old moon, about 2% illuminated will be about 4° north (to the right) of the comet.