PanSTARRS comet makes its way into Arkansas sky
By
David Harten
This article was published March 11, 2013 at 2:25 p.m.
Arkansans may get a glimpse of a new comet over the next two weeks.
The PanSTARRS comet is currently crossing the sky and should be visible for the next two weeks.
Central Arkansas Astronomical Society (CAAS) President Darrell Heath said that while the comet recently became visible over Arkansas — it was at its brightest on Sunday, when it was closest to the sun at 28 million miles away — residents will have plenty of opportunities to see it.
"Right now, it's very low in the west horizon," Heath said.
The comet, named for the Hawaii-based panoramic telescope that found it — its official name is 2011-L4-PanSTARRS — is at its most visible for 30 minutes at dusk. The comet will be visible to the left of the crescent moon on Tuesday and to the right of the moon on Wednesday as moves further from the sun.
The PanSTARRS comet will be visible through March 24 while looking west.
The comet is very bright and should be easily visible to the naked eye, according to the CAAS website.
Heath added that those interested in viewing the comet are invited to an event on the north lawn of the state Capitol on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. Rep. Steven Meeks is holding a viewing party for the comet in an effort to gather support for legislation that will curtail light pollution. Members of the Arkansas General Assembly will be there and the event is free to the public.
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