Comet Pann-STARRS Visible This Week

Baltimore, MD - Comet Pann-STARRS is the first comet visible to the naked eye for 2013! The comet originates from a giant comet cloud called OORT (a belt that lies outside our solar system). The comet was discovered in June 2011 by the Pan-STARRS telescope located near the summit of Haleakala on the island of Maui in Hawaii. Pann-STARRS is thought to be a fresh comet from the outer reaches of the solar system making one of its first passes through the inner solar system. The comet is believed to have taken a million of years to travel to our solar system.

How to see Pann-STARRS

Looking towards the western horizon you will see the moon in a crescent state. On March 13 th if you look below the moon you will spot Pann-STARRS which will appear a bit faded and elongated in an oval type appearance.

Another comet will known as “Comet ISON” could blossom into a striking naked eye object visible even in broad daylight sometime in November 2013.

Last image © Russell Vallelunga 2013