Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg Bryant
A new comet, C/2011 L4 (Panstarrs), has been announced this morning. Discovered by the first telescope of the Pan-Starrs survey in Hawaii, the comet is currently predicted to reach perihelion in April 2013. It could become visible to the unaided eye.
More details to come...
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Given the numbers in MPEC K11L33 and Horizons, perihelion 2013 Apr. 17 however JPL warns there is not enough data yet for an accurate orbit.
Based on current data for that date I get a magnitude estimate of 1.6 and it will be setting at around sunset. After April 17 it will be only above the horizon in daylight or too far north, until it returns mid August at mag 11 and fading.
For Sydney on the last few days of March and first of April it would be better, mag ~3 and setting around 21:15. RA ~1:40 and Dec -30, moving north a couple of degrees per day.
Let's hope more data will improve things.