NASA Update

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Comet Pan-STARRS

Far beyond the orbits of Neptune and Pluto, where the sun is a pinprick of light not much brighter than other stars, a vast swarm of icy bodies circles the solar system.

Astronomers call it the "Oort Cloud," and it is the source of some of history's finest comets.

One of them could be heading our way now.

In early March, the comet will pass about 100 million miles from Earth as it briefly dips inside the orbit of Mercury.

Most experts expect it to become a naked-eye object about as bright as the stars of the Big Dipper.

The best dates to look may be March 12th and 13th when Pan-STARRS emerges in the western sunset sky not far from the crescent Moon.

Two other key dates are March 5th when the comet comes closest to Earth (about 100 million miles away) and March 10th, when the comet comes closest to the sun.

Comet Pan-STARRS should not be confused with another, even better comet coming later this year.

In Nov. 2013, Comet ISON could shine as brightly as a full Moon in broad daylight when it passes through the atmosphere of the sun:

"Two bright comets in one year is a rare treat,"
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