Comet Panstarrs visible in Lankan skies

Comet Panstarrs, with a orbital period of 106,000 years, is the first naked-eye comet of 2013.

It is currently visible to Sri Lankans in the western sky after sun set, Prof Chandana Jayaratne of the Colombo University said.

It had its closest approach to the sun with a distance of 45 million kilometers, roughly a one third of the distance between the Sun and the Earth yesterday. Though it is not a very bright comet (magnitude +1 to 2), it will be visible until March 24 until it gradually fades away towards March end while moving from west to northwest direction, Prof Jayaratne said.

He said to watch the comet from now until mid - March, people should look towards the West about half an hour after sunset.

"For a best view, you need a very clear sky with no clouds or light pollution and may go to a hill top with no obstruction towards the western horizon. You will see the comet with tail stretching away from the direction of the Sun. There is no harm of observing comets through your naked eyes. A pair of binoculars would give a much better view," he said.