Politics & Government
Stop. Look Up. Is That Comet PANSTARRS?
Gaithersburg residents had a chance for a spectacular view of the rare 'naked-eye' comet, which should be visible in the southwestern sky through month's end.
Comet 2011 L4, better known as PANSTARRS, is a true astrological rarity because it is visible to the naked eye—something that occurs only once every 5 to 10 years, according to NASA.
According to Amy Mainzer, the principal investigator of NASA’s NEOWISE mission, “There is a catch to viewing comet PANSTARRS … a relatively unobstructed view to the southwest at twilight and, of course, some good comet-watching weather.”
Viewers captured some stunning photos of the comet over the Lincoln Memorial in Washington this week, with its passage coinciding with a crescent moon.
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NASA says that PANSTARRS should still be visible through the end of the month for skywatchers in Gaithersburg, but it will be tougher to see (even with binoculars or most home telescopes) as March ends.
While this comet viewing opportunity is rare, Mainzer said on the NASA web site that comet ISON may become a “spectacular naked-eye comet later this fall.”
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