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Comet PANSTARRS Last Night

In case you're wondering, Comet PANSTARRS can still be seen from the Northern Hemisphere.  Just look a little north of west about 45 to 90 minutes after sunset.  I captured this footage last night at Boca Reservoir near Truckee California.  

It's part of a much longer video of my recent work including Comet PANSTARRS captured in Death Valley National Park last week:
http://jeffsullivan.smugmug.com/Landscapes/Stock-Video/Video-Mono-Lake-Eastern-Sierra/27297879_rGMVwP#!i=2423083546&k=5SkQcVD

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16 thoughts on “Comet PANSTARRS Last Night”

  1. Magic.  Jeff are panstarrs moving comets?   Is there a specific area in Death Valley to go to?  I like to take my daughter to see a REAL night sky and have been chicken so far.  Thanks,  Ana

  2. All comets move, but you don't see them move across the sky +ana reachi, although they do appear to set below the western horizon as the earth rotates, just like the sun and the moon.  Unfortunately comet PANSTARRS is getting faint and is now difficult to find and see, even with clear skies and optical magnification (such as a long zoom lens).  
    Do a Google search for Comet ISON, which will be coming later this year, and may be visible from November through December, possibly into January.  That's probably your best bet for comets this year.  For other night viewing options, consider looking for the Milky Way on nights close to the new moon in June and July.  
    You don't have to go all the way out to Death Valley.  In fact, it can be useful to go up in elevation to remove some air and pollution.  There are also "star parties" which local astronomy clubs host, to give you access to telescopes and people who can help you understand what you're seeing, such as these dates coming up at Palomar Observatory in Southern California: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/cleveland/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5275725&width=full

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