Astronomy Picture of the Day -- Comet PANSTARRS Just After Sunset

NASA ^ | March 18, 2013 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: Have you seen the comet? As Comet PANSTARRS fades, careful observers -- even with unaided eyes -- should still be able to find the shedding ice ball on the western horizon just after sunset. Pictured above, Comet PANSTARRS (C/2011 L4) was pointed out from a hilltop last week on First Encounter Beach in Massachusetts, USA. The comet was discovered by -- and is named for -- the Pan-STARRS astronomical sky survey that discovered it. As the comet now recedes from both the Earth and the Sun, it will remain visible further into the night, although binoculars or a small telescope will soon to be needed to find it.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit & Copyright: Chris Cook]

[SunkenCiv]

If the sky is clear sometime this week, I'll head to the Lake Michigan shoreline to check it out.

Growing Gallery: Comet PanSTARRS at Sunset

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[cripplecreek]

Careful you don’t freeze to death in all this global warming.

[mylife]

What a pleasure to see this come up as my desktop today ☺

[BenLurkin]

Nice!

[highball]

Wow - what a beautiful shot.

I read the two figures as father and son, but I could just be projecting as a Dad.

Thanks!

[SunkenCiv]

I’ve not been out there for at least a few weeks, hmm, probably was a rare nice day in February. The summers’ swimming area was completely dry land, with the Lake held back by 40 yards of ice wall.