Home & Garden

Last Chance Wednesday to View Comet Pan-STARRS

Wednesday nights is your last chance to see the Comet Pan-STARRS as it passes around dusk.

Mostly clear skies Wednesday evening will give Bowie skywatchers a pretty good shot at seeing the Comet Pan-STARRS.

Comet Pan-STARRS (also known as Comet Panstarrs), a glob of ice and dust from the heavens, was closest to Earth last Tuesday, but clouds from the snowstorm-that-wasn't prevented most people in our area from seeing it. 

Wednesday evening, March 13, is your last best chance to see it. Space.com recommends looking toward the west to find the Comet Pan-STARRS, near where the moon normally rises.

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

Its bright dust tail might be visible to the naked eye, though some have suggested using binoculars (but only after sunset so not to injure the eyes) to see it. 

Unlike most meteor showers, the comet should be most visible not in the darkest hours of the night or morning, but at twilight. (In Maryland, we're at a disadvantage because of all the light pollution surrounding us.)

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

There are more tips for viewing on this video of Panstarrs.

Comet Panstarrs is named Pan-STARRS for the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System, the telescope that was used in its discovery.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here