Comet PanSTARRS (C/2013 X1) after a recent outburst of activity can now be seen in the evening sky with binoculars and small telescopes. At the beginning of the year it had reached magnitude +8.6 and if keeps brightening as predicted, could reach fourth magnitude in June and early July.

Discovery

Comet PanSTARRS was discovered on December 4, 2013 using the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS) located on the island of Maui in Hawaii. At discovery, the comet was extremely faint with an apparent magnitude of +20.2.

The Pan-STARRS project is in its infancy and eventually will use an array of four 1.8m astronomical telescopes to survey the sky continuously in the hunt for moving objects. Although there are current funding issues and only two of the four telescopes are completed, the project is producing good results and already numerous asteroid and comet discoveries have been made.

Location and star charts

Throughout January, PanSTARRS is well placed for observation from northern locations as it moves through the constellation of Pegasus. The comet is visible with binoculars towards the western horizon after sunset, although many observers may require the extra aperture offered by telescopes to spot it. To find PanSTARRS, first locate the four stars that form the "Great Square of Pegasus". The comet slowly cuts through the south-eastern side of the square during January, heading in the direction of Pisces.

In the Northern Hemisphere, it will remain visible until late February. It then passes through perihelion on April 20th before returning very low down in the pre-dawn sky towards the end of May. It remains low down during the peak period. For Southern hemisphere observers the comet is low down during January but they will be favoured when it reaches peak brightness in June / July.

The finder charts below show the positions of PanSTARRS from December 25, 2015 to February 26, 2016.

Comet PanSTARRS Finder Chart from December 25, 2015 to February 26, 2016 (credit:- freestarcharts)

C/2013 X1 (PanSTARRS) Data (at epoch June 27, 2015)

C/2013 X1 (PanSTARRS) Data Table