Community Corner

When Will The Pan-STARRS Comet Be Visable?

The popular comet will be trekking across the skies for the next few days and can be seen by the naked eye says NASA.

Peachtree Corners stargazers there's good news, the Comet 2011 L4, better known as PANSTARRS will be visible for new few days.

The coment 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.”

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Viewers captured some stunning photos of the comet over the Lincoln Memorial in Washington this week, with its passage coinciding with a crescent moon.

NASA says that PANSTARRS should still be visible through the end of the month but it will be tougher to see (even with binoculars or most home telescopes) as March ends.

Find out what's happening in Peachtree Cornerswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While this comet viewing opportunity is rare, Mainzer said on the NASA website that comet ISON may become a “spectacular naked-eye comet later this fall.”

Have you seen PANSTARRS?

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