Can you see the Pan-STARRS comet in our local skies?

Published 12:30 am Wednesday, March 13, 2013

BECAUSE OF HEAVY CLOUDS (and rain), it’s been impossible to spot the Pan-STARRS comet in the North Olympic Peninsula’s nighttime skies.

But observers peering into the clear skies of Arizona are making their first sightings now as the well-publicized comet begins to appear just above the western horizon after sunset.

“Last night, March 12th, a rare meeting occured in the sunset sky,” reports www.spaceweather.com.

“Comet Pan-STARRS (C/2011 L4) was only a few degrees away from the exquisitely-slender crescent Moon.

“Brian Klimowski sends this picture (shown on the right) from the countryside near Flagstaff, Arizona.”

Soon, the comet could be widely visible to casual sky watchers — no telescope required — including those on the Peninsula (that is, if our weather ever clears up).

Visit http://spaceweather.com for images, sky maps and observing tips.