Observing Comet 2011 L4 (PanSTARRS)

Observing from the UMD Observatory is not going to work (well) because the observatory building itself is down in a hollow and has tall trees to the west. In order to see this comet, you need:

  1. clear western horizon -- no trees, buildings. If you can't see the sun set, you probably won't see the comet!
  2. clear skies, especially near the horizon!
  3. binoculars -- wait until about 15 minutes after the sun has completely set, then start scanning the horizon. Be careful though, we have three major airports around us and so an airplane flying westward with a slight contrail catching the sun's light will look... intriguing... but it won't be the comet.

So, looking at what time the sun sets (stupid DST!) and approximate time of when the comet sets, here is the proposed comet observing schedule (if you want to join me) for this week, weather-permitting of course:

DECISION DATE SUNSET OBSERVING WINDOW COMET SETS PROPOSED LOCATION No GO! Too cloudy! Mon 11 Mar 7:11pm 7:30-8:10pm ~8:15pm Terrapin Trail Garage GO! Success! Tue 12 Mar 7:12pm 7:30-8:20pm ~8:25pm Terrapin Trail Garage GO! Success! Wed 13 Mar 7:13pm 7:35-8:25pm ~8:30pm Terrapin Trail Garage GO! Success! Thu 14 Mar 7:14pm 7:35-8:30pm ~8:35pm Terrapin Trail Garage No GO! Too cloudy! Fri 15 Mar 7:15pm 7:35-8:30pm ~8:40pm UMD Obs (park in overflow lot!) check back after 3pm Sat 16 Mar 7:16pm 7:35-8:45pm ~8:45pm UMD Obs (park in overflow lot!)

  • Go/No-go decision will be posted on the UMD Observatory homepage around 3pm. Please check AFTER 3pm.
  • We will not have any large telescopes set up. Please feel free to bring your own binoculars or small telescope. However, we will not be staying after we finish observing the comet and the garage lights will be on.
  • Even if we have a go, if it becomes cloudy, especially near the horizon, we may leave earlier.
  • The observing window is very approximate. Once we lose sight of the comet, we will leave.
  • If you have a spot closer to home (or work, like a parking garage!) with a better western view, use it!
  • To get an idea of what the comet might look like, check the Spaceweather.com gallery.
Locations

We will try Terrapin Trail Garage to start, but that may change. If we change the location, we will include the info in the Go/No-go posting.

Terrapin Trail Garage: We will be on the top level at the west end. Please park on lower levels and come up... Not the best but better than the observatory...

Once the comet gets higher, we will attempt to observe it from the top of the observatory parking lot. On those nights, please park at the overflow lot at Sytems Admin.

How high is 10 degrees?

Hold your fist at arm's length. As you can see, the comet will not be very high, that's why we need very unobstructed horizons!

More about C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS)

Elizabeth's photo of PanSTARRS
Elizabeth Warner imaged the crescent moon and comet PanSTARRS on 2013-03-12 from the top of the Terrapin Trail Garage on the University of Maryland Campus.