Once-in-a-Lifetime View of Comet Pan-STARRS

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By Tony Amormino, Meteorologist - bio | email

The best chance to see something truly once-in-a-lifetime occurs this weekend.

The Comet Pan-STARRS continues its trek through outer space and will be visible to the naked eye. You will be need an unobstructed view to the southwest at twilight to view the comet.

While Comet Pan-STARRS will be visible for nearly the entire month of March. The comet is at its brightest March 10 as it passes just 28 million miles away from the sun.

The comet will begin to dim after March 10.

Comet Pan-STARRS is known as a sungrazer because it will make an extremely close trip around the sun.

The earth and the comet were at its closest March 5. Due to a cloud filled sky in north central West Virginia, the comet was not visible.

Comet Pan-STARRS was discovered by a group of astronomers using the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) telescope in Hawaii.

The Comet Pan-STARRS has an orbital period of roughly 106,000 years.

In case you miss the Comet Pan-STARRS, the next sungrazing comet will occur in November. The Comet ISON will makes its way through the night sky.