I have been remiss about keeping up with information on comets, eclipses, and other space phenomena. This comet should be visible in our hemisphere beginning next week. I haven't checked the spaceweather website yet to see if they indicate how long the comet will be visible to the naked eye. I should have done that before forwarding this to you. That's what happens when you get out of the groove. Robert E Paty, Scottsdale, AZ aka Mad Hatter > From: [email protected] > To: [email protected] > Subject: Comet Pan-STARRS Approaches the Sun > Date: Sun, 3 Mar 2013 14:55:32 -0600 > > Space Weather News for March 3, 2013 > http://spaceweather.com > > NAKED-EYE COMET: Comet Pan-STARRS (C/2011 L4) is now inside the orbit of Mercury and it is brightening as it approaches the sun. Observers in the southern hemisphere say the comet can be seen with the naked eye even through city lights. Currently, it is about as bright as the stars of the Big Dipper (magnitude +2 to +3). The comet could become even brighter when it moves into northern hemisphere skies in the second week of March. Check http://spaceweather.com for current images and updates. > > SOLAR FLARE ALERTS: Would you like a call when solar flares are underway? X-flare alerts are available from http://spaceweathertext.com (text) and http://spaceweatherphone.com (voice). > > You are subscribed to the Space Weather mailing list, a free service of Spaceweather.com. New members may add themselves to the list at http://spaceweather.com/services/ . > > To unsubscribe click here: http://www.spaceweather2.com/u?id=79T&n=T&l=spaceweather or send a blank email to [email protected] > >