Comet Pan-STARRS (C/2011 L4) now visible with naked eye

Comet Pan-STARRS (C/2011 L4) now visible with naked eye

Comet Pan-STARRS has been brightening steadily for the past few months. By now Comet Pan-STARRS (C/2011 L4) became a naked-eye object while it makes its closest approach to the Sun, inside the orbit of Mercury. It is now closer to the Sun than Venus. At

What’s Up for March 2013

What’s Up for March 2013

The first of this year’s two potential bright comets is visible for those who can see low on the western horizon and find out which spacecraft is on a 10-year mission to catch up with another comet.Credit: JPL