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{{Short description|Non-periodic comet}}
{{redirect|Comet PANSTARRS|the Hawaii telescope facility|Pan-STARRS|other comets discovered by "PANSTARRS"|List of Pan-STARRS discoveries}}
{{redirect|Comet PANSTARRS|the Hawaii telescope facility|Pan-STARRS|other comets discovered by "PANSTARRS"|List of Pan-STARRS discoveries}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox comet
{{Infobox comet
| name = C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)
| name = C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS)
| image = [[File:C 2011 L4 PanSTARRS.jpg|200px]]
| image = C 2011 L4 PanSTARRS.jpg
| caption = Image of Comet PanSTARRS by Gingin Observatory
| caption = Image of Comet PanSTARRS by Gingin Observatory
| discoverer = [[Pan-STARRS]]
| discoverer = [[Pan-STARRS]]
| discovery_date = 6 June 2011
| discovery_date = 6 June 2011
| orbit_ref = <ref>{{cite web |title=C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) |url=https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=2011L4 |website=Small-Body Database Lookup |publisher=ssd.jpl.nasa.gov |access-date=16 June 2024}}</ref>
| epoch = 20 Mar 2012<br/>([[Julian day|JD]] 2456006.5)
| epoch = 20 Mar 2012<br/>([[Julian day|JD]] 2456006.5)
| observation_arc= 3.27 years
| aphelion = Unknown
| obs = 5413
| orbit = [[Oort cloud]]
| aphelion = 68000 AU (inbound)<ref name=barycenter/><br/>4500 AU (outbound)
| perihelion = 0.30161 [[Astronomical unit|AU]] (q)
| perihelion = 0.30161 [[Astronomical unit|AU]] (q)
| semimajor = Unknown
| eccentricity = 1.000087
| eccentricity = 1.000087
| period = ~106,000 [[Julian year (astronomy)|yr]]<br>(Barycentric solution for [[Epoch (astronomy)|epoch]] 2050)<ref name=barycenter/>
| period = Millions of years (inbound)<br/>~107,000 [[Julian year (astronomy)|yr]]<br/>(outbound solution for [[Epoch (astronomy)|epoch]] 2050)<ref name=barycenter/>
| inclination = 84.199[[degree (angle)|°]]
| inclination = 84.199[[degree (angle)|°]]
| Jupiter_moid = 0.17 AU
| last_p = 10 March 2013<ref name=jpldata/>
| last_p = 10 March 2013<ref name=jpldata/>
| max_speed={{convert|76.7|km/s|mph|abbr=on}}<ref name="perihelion-kms"/>
⚫
| next_p = Unknown
⚫
| source = http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2011L4
}}
}}

'''C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)''' is a [[List of non-periodic comets|non-periodic]] [[comet]] discovered in June 2011 that became visible to the [[naked eye]] when it was near [[perihelion]] in March 2013.<ref name="skytel-Apr2012"/><ref name=kronk/> It was discovered using the [[Pan-STARRS]] telescope located near the summit of [[Haleakalā]], on the island of [[Maui]] in Hawaii. Comet C/2011 L4 probably took millions of years to come from the [[Oort cloud]]. After leaving the planetary region of the Solar System, the post-perihelion [[orbital period]] ([[Epoch (astronomy)|epoch]] 2050) is estimated to be roughly {{gaps|106|000}}&nbsp;[[Julian year (astronomy)|years]].<ref name=barycenter/> Dust and gas production suggests the [[comet nucleus]] is roughly {{convert|1|km|sp=us}} in diameter.<ref name="ScienceAtNASA"/>
'''C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS)''', also known as '''Comet PANSTARRS''', is a [[List of non-periodic comets|non-periodic]] [[comet]] discovered in June 2011 that became visible to the [[naked eye]] when it was near [[perihelion]] in March 2013.<ref name="skytel-Apr2012"/><ref name=kronk/> It was discovered using the [[Pan-STARRS]] telescope located near the summit of [[Haleakalā]], on the island of [[Maui]] in Hawaii. Comet C/2011 L4 probably took millions of years to come from the [[Oort cloud]]. After leaving the planetary region of the Solar System, the post-perihelion [[orbital period]] ([[Epoch (astronomy)|epoch]] 2050) is estimated to be roughly {{gaps|107|000}}&nbsp;[[Julian year (astronomy)|years]].<ref name=barycenter/> Dust and gas production suggests the [[comet nucleus]] is roughly {{convert|1|km|sp=us}} in diameter,<ref name="ScienceAtNASA"/> while based on the absolute nuclear magnitude and a geometric albedo of 0.04 the diameter of the nucleus is over {{convert|2.4|km|sp=us}}.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ferrín |first1=Ignacio |title=The location of Oort Cloud comets C/2011 L4 Panstarrs and C/2012 S1 ISON on a comet evolutionary diagram |journal=Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |date=1 August 2014 |volume=442 |issue=2 |pages=1731–1754 |doi=10.1093/mnras/stu820|doi-access=free |hdl=10495/8143 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> A method based on coma magnitude decay function estimated the [[effective radius]] at 2.317 ± 0.190 km.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Paradowski |first1=Mieczyslaw Leszek |title=A new method of determining brightness and size of cometary nuclei |journal=Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |date=1 March 2020 |volume=492 |issue=3 |pages=4175–4188 |doi=10.1093/mnras/stz3597|doi-access=free }}</ref>


==Observational history==
==Observational history==
[[File:Panstarrs-Nasagraphic-640.jpg|thumb|left|For [[Northern hemisphere]] observers, Comet PANSTARRS was near the crescent Moon on 12/13 March 2013.]]
[[File:Panstarrs-Nasagraphic-640.jpg|thumb|left|For [[Northern hemisphere]] observers, Comet PANSTARRS was near the crescent Moon on 12/13 March 2013.]]
Comet C/2011 L4 was still 7.9&nbsp;[[Astronomical unit|AU]] from the Sun<ref name=kronk/> with an [[apparent magnitude]] of 19 when it was discovered in June 2011.<ref name="MPEC2011-L33"/> By early May 2012, it had brightened to magnitude 13.5,<ref name="MPEC2012-J16"/> and could be seen visually when using a large amateur telescope from a dark site. As of October 2012, the [[Coma (cometary)|coma]] (expanding tenuous dust atmosphere) was estimated to be about {{convert|120000|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} in diameter.<ref name="Cerny"/> C/2011 L4 was spotted without optical aid on 7 February 2013 at a magnitude of ~6.<ref name="Seargent2013"/> Comet PANSTARRS was visible from both hemispheres in the first weeks of March,<ref name="visibility"/> and passed closest to Earth on 5 March 2013 at a distance of 1.09 [[Astronomical unit|AU]].<ref name=kronk/> It came to [[Apsis|perihelion]] (closest approach to the Sun) on 10 March 2013.<ref name=jpldata/> Original estimates predicted that C/2011 L4 would brighten to roughly [[apparent magnitude]] 0 (roughly the brightness of [[Alpha Centauri A]] or [[Vega]]). An estimate in October 2012 predicted that it might brighten to magnitude −4 (roughly equivalent to [[Venus]]).<ref name="Pina"/> In January 2013 there was a noticeable brightening slowdown that suggested that it may only brighten to magnitude +1.<ref name="Cerny2013"/> During February the brightness curve showed a further slowdown suggesting a [[Apsis|perihelion]] magnitude of around +2.<ref name=Yoshida/>
Comet C/2011 L4 was still 7.9&nbsp;[[Astronomical unit|AU]] from the Sun<ref name=kronk/> with an [[apparent magnitude]] of 19 when it was discovered in June 2011.<ref name="MPEC2011-L33"/> By early May 2012, it had brightened to magnitude 13.5,<ref name="MPEC2012-J16"/> and could be seen visually when using a large amateur telescope from a dark site. In October 2012, the [[Coma (cometary)|coma]] (expanding tenuous dust atmosphere) was estimated to be about {{convert|120000|km|mi|abbr=off|sp=us}} in diameter.<ref name="Cerny"/> C/2011 L4 was spotted without optical aid on 7 February 2013 at a magnitude of ~6.<ref name="Seargent2013"/> Comet PANSTARRS was visible from both hemispheres in the first weeks of March,<ref name="visibility"/> and passed closest to Earth on 5 March 2013 at a distance of 1.09 [[Astronomical unit|AU]].<ref name=kronk/> It came to [[Apsis|perihelion]] (closest approach to the Sun) on 10 March 2013.<ref name=jpldata/> Original estimates predicted that C/2011 L4 would brighten to roughly [[apparent magnitude]] 0 (roughly the brightness of [[Alpha Centauri A]] or [[Vega]]). An estimate in October 2012 predicted that it might brighten to magnitude −4 (roughly equivalent to [[Venus]]).<ref name="Pina"/> In January 2013 there was a noticeable brightening slowdown that suggested that it may only brighten to magnitude +1.<ref name="Cerny2013"/> During February the brightness curve showed a further slowdown suggesting a [[Apsis|perihelion]] magnitude of around +2.<ref name=Yoshida/>


However, a study using the [[Secular phenomena|secular]] [[light curve]] indicates that C/2011 L4 had a "slowdown event" when it was 3.6&nbsp;AU from the Sun at a magnitude 5.6.<ref name=Ferrin2013/> The brightness increase rate decreased and the estimated magnitude at perihelion was predicted as +3.5. [[Halley's Comet|Comet Halley]] would be magnitude −1.0 at the same perihelion distance. The same study concluded that C/2011 L4 is very young and belongs to the class of "baby comets" (i.e. those with a [[photometric age]] of less than 4 comet years).<ref name=Ferrin2013/>
However, a study using the [[Secular phenomena|secular]] [[light curve]] indicates that C/2011 L4 had a "slowdown event" when it was 3.6&nbsp;AU from the Sun at a magnitude 5.6.<ref name=Ferrin2013/> The brightness increase rate decreased and the estimated magnitude at perihelion was predicted as +3.5. [[Halley's Comet|Comet Halley]] would be magnitude −1.0 at the same perihelion distance. The same study concluded that C/2011 L4 is very young and belongs to the class of "baby comets" (i.e. those with a photometric age of less than 4 comet years).<ref name=Ferrin2013/>


When C/2011 L4 reached perihelion in March 2013, the actual peak magnitude turned out to be around +1,<ref name=ICQ/> as estimated by various observers all over the planet. However, its low altitude over the [[horizon]] made these estimates difficult and subject to significant uncertainties, both because of the lack of suitable reference stars in the area and the need for differential [[atmospheric extinction]] corrections. As of mid-March 2013, due the brightness of twilight and low elevation in the sky, C/2011 L4 was best seen in [[binoculars]] about 40 minutes after sunset.<ref name="Atkinson"/> On 17–18 March, C/2011 L4 was near the 2.8-magnitude star Algenib ([[Gamma Pegasi]]).<ref name="Earthsky"/> On 22 April, it was near [[Beta Cassiopeiae]].<ref name=Yoshida/> On 12–14 May, it was near [[Gamma Cephei]].<ref name=Astrobob/> C/2011 L4 continued moving North until 28 May.
When C/2011 L4 reached perihelion in March 2013, the actual peak magnitude turned out to be around +1,<ref name=ICQ/> as estimated by various observers all over the planet. However, its low altitude over the [[horizon]] made these estimates difficult and subject to significant uncertainties, both because of the lack of suitable reference stars in the area and the need for differential [[atmospheric extinction]] corrections. As of mid-March 2013, due to the brightness of twilight and low elevation in the sky, C/2011 L4 was best seen in [[binoculars]] about 40 minutes after sunset.<ref name="Atkinson"/> On 17–18 March, C/2011 L4 was near the 2.8-magnitude star Algenib ([[Gamma Pegasi]]).<ref name="Earthsky"/> On 22 April, it was near [[Beta Cassiopeiae]].<ref name=Yoshida/> On 12–14 May, it was near [[Gamma Cephei]].<ref name=Astrobob/> C/2011 L4 continued moving North until 28 May. The comet may have had a sodium tail as [[Comet Hale–Bopp#Sodium tail|Comet Hale–Bopp]] had.<ref>[http://www.astrosurf.com/comolli/com39.htm Comet C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS) with sodium tail - 15 March 2013]</ref>


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery widths="200px" heights="160px">
<gallery widths="200px" heights="160px">
File:Comets-Yuri-Beletsky.jpg|Comets Lemmon ([[C/2012 F6]]) and PANSTARRS (C/2011 L4) from [[Las Campanas Observatory]] in Chile.
File:PanSTARRs And Moon.jpg|Comet PANSTARRS as observed from Southern California, USA, about 3° east of the new crescent Moon
File:PanSTARRs And Moon.jpg|Comet PANSTARRS as observed from Southern California, USA, about 3° east of the new crescent Moon
File:Comet C2011 L4 (PANSTARRS).png|Photo taken 12 March 2013 in [[Woodland Hills, Los Angeles]], USA.
File:Comet C2011 L4 (PANSTARRS).png|Photo taken 12 March 2013 in [[Woodland Hills, Los Angeles]], USA.
File:Comet C2011L4 PanSTARRS 2013-03-24 in Russia.jpg|Comet C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS) with a fan-shaped tail 2013-03-24 17:00UT in [[Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Science]] near the village of Nizhny Arkhyz.
File:Comet C2011L4 PanSTARRS 2013-03-24 in Russia.jpg|Comet C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS) with a fan-shaped tail 2013-03-24 17:00UT in [[Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Science]] near the village of Nizhny Arkhyz.
File:Comet Pan-STARRS.JPG|Photo taken 18 March 2013, at [[Orbetello]], Italy).
File:Comet Pan-STARRS.JPG|Photo taken 18 March 2013, at [[Orbetello]], Italy).
File:C-2011 Comet PanStarrs taken from the Norman Lockyer Observatory on 26th May 2013 by John Maclean.jpeg | Photo taken by John Maclean at the Norman Lockyer Observatory, Sidmouth, Devon.
File:C-2011 Comet PanStarrs taken from the Norman Lockyer Observatory on 26th May 2013 by John Maclean.jpeg|Photo taken by John Maclean at the Norman Lockyer Observatory, Sidmouth, Devon.
File:Comet PANSTARRS.png|Photo of C/2011 L4 taken March 13, 2013 in Southern Texas.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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==References==
==References==
{{reflist
{{Reflist
| refs =
| refs =


<ref name=barycenter>{{cite web
<ref name="barycenter">{{cite web
| author = [[JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris System|Horizons]] output
| author=[[JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris System|Horizons]] output
| url=https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons_batch.cgi?batch=1&COMMAND=%272011+L4%27&TABLE_TYPE=%27ELEMENTS%27&START_TIME=%271950-01-01%27&STOP_TIME=%272050-01-01%27&STEP_SIZE=%27100%20years%27&CENTER=%27@0%27&OUT_UNITS=%27AU-D%27
| url = http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons.cgi?find_body=1&body_group=sb&sstr=2011L4
| title = Barycentric Osculating Orbital Elements for Comet C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)
| title=Barycentric Osculating Orbital Elements for Comet C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS) }} Solution using the Solar System [[Barycenter]]. Ephemeris Type:Elements and Center:@0 (To be outside planetary region, inbound epoch 1950 and outbound epoch 2050)</ref>

| accessdate = 17 July 2012}} (Solution using the Solar System [[Center of mass#Barycenter in astrophysics and astronomy|Barycenter]] and [[Barycentric coordinates (astronomy)|barycentric coordinates]]. Select Ephemeris Type:Elements and Center:@0)</ref>
<ref name="perihelion-kms">{{cite web
|title=Horizons Batch for 2013-Mar-10 perihelion velocity
|publisher=[[JPL Horizons On-Line Ephemeris System|JPL Horizons]]
|url=https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons_batch.cgi?batch=1&COMMAND=%272011+L4%27&START_TIME=%272013-03-10%2003:50%27&STOP_TIME=%272013-03-10%2005:30%27&STEP_SIZE=%271%20min%27&QUANTITIES=%2719,20,22,39%27
⚫
|accessdate=2023-01-22}}</ref>


<ref name="skytel-Apr2012">{{cite web
<ref name="skytel-Apr2012">{{cite web
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| publisher = [[Sky & Telescope]]
| publisher = [[Sky & Telescope]]
| url = http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/observingblog/Comet-PanSTARRS-Still-on-Track-147166535.html
| url = http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/observingblog/Comet-PanSTARRS-Still-on-Track-147166535.html
| accessdate = 12 April 2012}}</ref>
| access-date = 12 April 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131022151236/http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/skyblog/observingblog/Comet-PanSTARRS-Still-on-Track-147166535.html
| archive-date = 22 October 2013
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>


<ref name="MPEC2011-L33">{{cite web
<ref name="MPEC2011-L33">{{cite web
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| publisher = [[IAU Minor Planet Center]]
| publisher = [[IAU Minor Planet Center]]
| url = http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K11/K11L33.html
| url = http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K11/K11L33.html
| accessdate = 17 May 2012}} (CK11L040)</ref>
| access-date = 17 May 2012}} (CK11L040)</ref>


<ref name="MPEC2012-J16">{{cite web
<ref name="MPEC2012-J16">{{cite web
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| publisher = IAU Minor Planet Center
| publisher = IAU Minor Planet Center
| url = http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K12/K12J16.html
| url = http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K12/K12J16.html
| accessdate = 17 May 2012}}</ref>
| access-date = 17 May 2012}}</ref>


<ref name=kronk>{{Cite web
<ref name=kronk>{{Cite web
| first = Gary W | last = Kronk
| first = Gary W
| last = Kronk
| authorlink = Gary W. Kronk
| author-link = Gary W. Kronk
| title = C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)
| title = C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)
| url = http://cometography.com/lcomets/2011l4.html
| url = http://cometography.com/lcomets/2011l4.html
| accessdate = 13 June 2012}} ([http://cometography.com Cometography Home Page])</ref>
| access-date = 13 June 2012
| archive-date = 5 April 2001
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010405095745/http://cometography.com/
| url-status = bot: unknown
}}()</ref>


<ref name=jpldata>{{cite web
<ref name=jpldata>{{cite web
⚫
|title = JPL Small-Body Database Browser: C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)
| date = 14 July 2012 last obs (data arc=1.15 yr)
⚫
|url = http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2011L4
⚫
| title = JPL Small-Body Database Browser: C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)
⚫
|publisher = [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]]
⚫
| url = http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2011L4
|access-date = 12 June 2012
⚫
| publisher = [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]]
⚫
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170316024426/http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2011L4
⚫
| accessdate = 12 June 2012}}</ref>
|archive-date = 16 March 2017
|url-status = live
|df = dmy-all }}</ref>



<ref name="Cerny">{{cite web
<ref name="Cerny">{{cite web
| date = 7 October 2012
|date = 7 October 2012
| title = Watching comet Panstarrs activity
|title = Watching comet Panstarrs activity
| publisher = Robotic telescope FRAM
|publisher = Robotic telescope FRAM
| author = Jakub Cerny
|author = Jakub Cerny
| url = http://gloria.fzu.cz/en/news/Sledujeme-v%C3%BDvoj-aktivity-komety-Panstarrs
|url = http://gloria.fzu.cz/en/news/Sledujeme-v%C3%BDvoj-aktivity-komety-Panstarrs
| accessdate = 8 October 2012}}</ref>
|access-date = 8 October 2012
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130314140227/http://gloria.fzu.cz/en/news/Sledujeme-v%C3%BDvoj-aktivity-komety-Panstarrs
|archive-date = 14 March 2013
|url-status = dead
⚫
|df = dmy-all
}}</ref>


<ref name=Yoshida>{{cite web
<ref name=Yoshida>{{cite web
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| url = http://www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/2011L4/2011L4.html
| url = http://www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/2011L4/2011L4.html
| work = www.aerith.net
| work = www.aerith.net
| accessdate = 25 February 2013}}</ref>
| access-date = 25 February 2013}}</ref>


<ref name="Seargent2013">{{cite web
<ref name="Seargent2013">{{cite web
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| author = David Seargent
| author = David Seargent
| url = http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/comets-ml/message/20694
| url = http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/comets-ml/message/20694
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130412050925/http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/comets-ml/message/20694
⚫
| accessdate = 10 February 2013}}</ref>
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 12 April 2013
⚫
| access-date = 10 February 2013}}</ref>


<ref name="visibility">{{cite web
<ref name="visibility">
{{cite web
| date = 5 March 2013
| date = 5 March 2013
| title = Map: when can you see comet PanSTARRS
| title = Map: when can you see comet PanSTARRS
| author = Geert Barentsen
| author = Geert Barentsen
| url = http://blog.barentsen.be/2013/03/05/map-when-can-you-see-comet-panstarrs/
| url = http://blog.barentsen.be/2013/03/05/map-when-can-you-see-comet-panstarrs/
| accessdate = 5 March 2013}}</ref>
| access-date = 5 March 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130310035648/http://blog.barentsen.be/2013/03/05/map-when-can-you-see-comet-panstarrs/
| archive-date = 10 March 2013
| url-status = dead
⚫
| df = dmy-all
}}</ref>


<ref name="Pina">{{cite web
<ref name="Pina">{{cite web
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| author = J.P.Navarro Pina
| author = J.P.Navarro Pina
| url = http://astrocometas.blogspot.de/2012/10/update-light-visual-curve-of-comet.html
| url = http://astrocometas.blogspot.de/2012/10/update-light-visual-curve-of-comet.html
| accessdate = 23 October 2012}}</ref>
| access-date = 23 October 2012
| archive-date = 28 January 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130128033207/http://astrocometas.blogspot.de/2012/10/update-light-visual-curve-of-comet.html
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>


<ref name="Cerny2013">{{cite web
<ref name="Cerny2013">{{cite web
| date = 12 January 2013
| date = 12 January 2013
| title = Comet Panstarrs brightening slowdown
| title = Comet Panstarrs brightening slowdown
| publisher = comets-ml · Comets Mailing List
| publisher = comets-ml · Comets Mailing List
| author = Jakub Cerny
| author = Jakub Cerny
| url = http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/comets-ml/message/20415
| url = http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/comets-ml/message/20415
| accessdate = 12 January 2013}}</ref>
| access-date = 12 January 2013
| archive-date = 10 February 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130210154015/http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/comets-ml/message/20415
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>


<ref name=Ferrin2013>{{cite journal
<ref name=Ferrin2013>{{cite journal
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| title = Secular Light Curves of Comets C/2011 L4 Panstarrs and C/2012 S1 ISON
| title = Secular Light Curves of Comets C/2011 L4 Panstarrs and C/2012 S1 ISON
| publisher = University of Antioquia
| publisher = University of Antioquia
| journal=
| volume =
| issue =
| pages =
| year = 2013
| year = 2013
⚫
| doi =
| arxiv = 1302.4621
| arxiv = 1302.4621
| url = http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1302/1302.4621.pdf
| bibcode = 2013arXiv1302.4621F}}</ref>
| bibcode = 2013arXiv1302.4621F}}</ref>


<ref name="Atkinson">{{cite web
<ref name="Atkinson">{{cite web
| date = 7 March 2013
| date = 7 March 2013
| title = Comet PANSTARRS
| title = Comet PANSTARRS
| author = Stuart Atkinson
| author = Stuart Atkinson
| url = http://waitingforison.wordpress.com/comet-panstarrs/
| url = http://waitingforison.wordpress.com/comet-panstarrs/
| accessdate = 10 March 2013}}</ref>
| access-date = 10 March 2013}}</ref>


<ref name="ICQ">{{cite web
<ref name="ICQ">{{cite web
| title = Recent Comet Brightness Estimates
| title = Recent Comet Brightness Estimates
| url = http://www.icq.eps.harvard.edu/CometMags.html
| url = http://www.icq.eps.harvard.edu/CometMags.html
| accessdate = 15 March 2013}}</ref>
| access-date = 15 March 2013}}</ref>


<ref name="Earthsky">{{cite web
<ref name="Earthsky">{{cite web
Line 164: Line 201:
| author = Deborah Byrd
| author = Deborah Byrd
| url = http://earthsky.org/space/comet-panstarrs-possibly-visible-to-eye-in-march-2013
| url = http://earthsky.org/space/comet-panstarrs-possibly-visible-to-eye-in-march-2013
| accessdate = 17 March 2013}}</ref>
| access-date = 17 March 2013}}</ref>


<ref name=Astrobob>{{cite web
<ref name=Astrobob>{{cite web
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| title = Comet PANSTARRS for die-hards
| title = Comet PANSTARRS for die-hards
| url = http://astrobob.areavoices.com/2013/05/05/comet-panstarrs-for-die-hards/
| url = http://astrobob.areavoices.com/2013/05/05/comet-panstarrs-for-die-hards/
| accessdate = 5 May 2013}}</ref>
| access-date = 5 May 2013}}</ref>


<ref name="ScienceAtNASA">{{cite web
<ref name="ScienceAtNASA">{{cite web
| date = 14 March 2013
| date = 14 March 2013
| title = ScienceCasts: Sunset Comet
| title = ScienceCasts: Sunset Comet
| author = ScienceAtNASA
| author = ScienceAtNASA
| website = [[YouTube]]
| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1cYfPrHoJw#t=120s
| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1cYfPrHoJw#t=120s
| accessdate = 17 March 2013}}</ref>
| access-date = 17 March 2013}}</ref>


|2}}
|2}}
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* [http://cometography.com/lcomets/2011l4.html C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)] – Cometography.com by Gary W. Kronk
* [http://cometography.com/lcomets/2011l4.html C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)] – Cometography.com by Gary W. Kronk
* [http://www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/2011L4/2011L4.html C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS)] – Seiichi Yoshida @ aerith.net
* [http://www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/2011L4/2011L4.html C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS)] – Seiichi Yoshida @ aerith.net
* [http://shadowandsubstance.com/march2013comet/Panstarrs.html C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS) animated orbit diagram] – [http://shadowandsubstance.com/ Shadow & Substance]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130307084631/http://shadowandsubstance.com/march2013comet/Panstarrs.html C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS) animated orbit diagram] – [http://shadowandsubstance.com/ Shadow & Substance]
* [http://scully.cfa.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/returnprepeph.cgi?d=c&o=CK11L040 Elements and Ephemeris for C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)] – [[Minor Planet Center]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121206070627/http://scully.cfa.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/returnprepeph.cgi?d=c&o=CK11L040 Elements and Ephemeris for C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)] – [[Minor Planet Center]]
* [http://spacedex.com/comet-pan-starrs/ The complete guide to viewing Comet PANSTARR]
* [http://spacedex.com/comet-pan-starrs/ The complete guide to viewing Comet PANSTARR]
* [http://twitpic.com/c407q5 The view STEREO-B will have of PanSTARRS in March] (Bill Thompson via Twitter account ''Sungrazing Comets'') / [http://stereo-ssc.nascom.nasa.gov/browse/2013/03/09/behind/hi1/512/20130309_111801_s7h1B.jpg C/2011 L4 on 2013-March-09] (entering STEREO/SECCHI HI-1B field of view below the "2013")
* [http://twitpic.com/c407q5 The view STEREO-B will have of PanSTARRS in March] (Bill Thompson via Twitter account ''Sungrazing Comets'') / [http://stereo-ssc.nascom.nasa.gov/browse/2013/03/09/behind/hi1/512/20130309_111801_s7h1B.jpg C/2011 L4 on 2013-March-09]{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (entering STEREO/SECCHI HI-1B field of view below the "2013")
* [http://remanzacco.blogspot.com/2012/05/update-on-comet-c2011-l4-panstarrs.html Update on comet C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)] – Remanzacco Observatory (18 May 2012)
* [http://remanzacco.blogspot.com/2012/05/update-on-comet-c2011-l4-panstarrs.html Update on comet C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)] – Remanzacco Observatory (18 May 2012)
* [http://twitpic.com/cajm3q Very quick high-resolution "first look" at PanSTARRS in STEREO HI-1B] / [http://sungrazer.nrl.navy.mil/index.php?p=images/panstarrs.gif 2013-March-10 GIF animation] / [http://twitpic.com/catqwz 2013-March-12 up close] (Twitter account ''Sungrazing Comets'')
* [http://twitpic.com/cajm3q Very quick high-resolution "first look" at PanSTARRS in STEREO HI-1B] / [http://sungrazer.nrl.navy.mil/index.php?p=images/panstarrs.gif 2013-March-10 GIF animation] / [http://twitpic.com/catqwz 2013-March-12 up close] (Twitter account ''Sungrazing Comets'')
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[[Category:Astronomical objects discovered in 2011|20110606]]
[[Category:Astronomical objects discovered in 2011|20110606]]
[[Category:Non-periodic comets]]
[[Category:Non-periodic comets]]
[[Category:Oort cloud]]
[[Category:Discoveries by Pan-STARRS]]

Latest revision as of 10:43, 7 August 2024

"Comet PANSTARRS" redirects here. For the Hawaii telescope facility, see Pan-STARRS. For other comets discovered by "PANSTARRS", see List of Pan-STARRS discoveries.

C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS)
Image of Comet PanSTARRS by Gingin Observatory
Discovery
Discovered byPan-STARRS
Discovery date6 June 2011
Orbital characteristics[4]
Epoch20 Mar 2012
(JD 2456006.5)
Observation arc3.27 years
Number of
observations		5413
Orbit typeOort cloud
Aphelion68000 AU (inbound)[1]
4500 AU (outbound)
Perihelion0.30161 AU (q)
Eccentricity1.000087
Orbital periodMillions of years (inbound)
~107,000 yr
(outbound solution for epoch 2050)[1]
Max. orbital speed76.7 km/s (172,000 mph)[2]
Inclination84.199°
Last perihelion10 March 2013[3]
Jupiter MOID0.17 AU

C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS), also known as Comet PANSTARRS, is a non-periodic comet discovered in June 2011 that became visible to the naked eye when it was near perihelion in March 2013.[5][6] It was discovered using the Pan-STARRS telescope located near the summit of Haleakalā, on the island of Maui in Hawaii. Comet C/2011 L4 probably took millions of years to come from the Oort cloud. After leaving the planetary region of the Solar System, the post-perihelion orbital period (epoch 2050) is estimated to be roughly 107000 years.[1] Dust and gas production suggests the comet nucleus is roughly 1 kilometer (0.62 mi) in diameter,[7] while based on the absolute nuclear magnitude and a geometric albedo of 0.04 the diameter of the nucleus is over 2.4 kilometers (1.5 mi).[8] A method based on coma magnitude decay function estimated the effective radius at 2.317 ± 0.190 km.[9]

Observational history

[edit]
For Northern hemisphere observers, Comet PANSTARRS was near the crescent Moon on 12/13 March 2013.

Comet C/2011 L4 was still 7.9 AU from the Sun[6] with an apparent magnitude of 19 when it was discovered in June 2011.[10] By early May 2012, it had brightened to magnitude 13.5,[11] and could be seen visually when using a large amateur telescope from a dark site. In October 2012, the coma (expanding tenuous dust atmosphere) was estimated to be about 120,000 kilometers (75,000 miles) in diameter.[12] C/2011 L4 was spotted without optical aid on 7 February 2013 at a magnitude of ~6.[13] Comet PANSTARRS was visible from both hemispheres in the first weeks of March,[14] and passed closest to Earth on 5 March 2013 at a distance of 1.09 AU.[6] It came to perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) on 10 March 2013.[3] Original estimates predicted that C/2011 L4 would brighten to roughly apparent magnitude 0 (roughly the brightness of Alpha Centauri A or Vega). An estimate in October 2012 predicted that it might brighten to magnitude −4 (roughly equivalent to Venus).[15] In January 2013 there was a noticeable brightening slowdown that suggested that it may only brighten to magnitude +1.[16] During February the brightness curve showed a further slowdown suggesting a perihelion magnitude of around +2.[17]

However, a study using the secular light curve indicates that C/2011 L4 had a "slowdown event" when it was 3.6 AU from the Sun at a magnitude 5.6.[18] The brightness increase rate decreased and the estimated magnitude at perihelion was predicted as +3.5. Comet Halley would be magnitude −1.0 at the same perihelion distance. The same study concluded that C/2011 L4 is very young and belongs to the class of "baby comets" (i.e. those with a photometric age of less than 4 comet years).[18]

When C/2011 L4 reached perihelion in March 2013, the actual peak magnitude turned out to be around +1,[19] as estimated by various observers all over the planet. However, its low altitude over the horizon made these estimates difficult and subject to significant uncertainties, both because of the lack of suitable reference stars in the area and the need for differential atmospheric extinction corrections. As of mid-March 2013, due to the brightness of twilight and low elevation in the sky, C/2011 L4 was best seen in binoculars about 40 minutes after sunset.[20] On 17–18 March, C/2011 L4 was near the 2.8-magnitude star Algenib (Gamma Pegasi).[21] On 22 April, it was near Beta Cassiopeiae.[17] On 12–14 May, it was near Gamma Cephei.[22] C/2011 L4 continued moving North until 28 May. The comet may have had a sodium tail as Comet Hale–Bopp had.[23]

[edit]

See also

[edit]
  • C/2012 S1 (ISON) – a highly anticipated comet that disintegrated near perihelion in November 2013.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Horizons output. "Barycentric Osculating Orbital Elements for Comet C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)". Solution using the Solar System Barycenter. Ephemeris Type:Elements and Center:@0 (To be outside planetary region, inbound epoch 1950 and outbound epoch 2050)
  2. ^ "Horizons Batch for 2013-Mar-10 perihelion velocity". JPL Horizons. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Archived from the original on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  4. ^ "C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)". Small-Body Database Lookup. ssd.jpl.nasa.gov. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Comet Pan-STARRS: Still on Track". Sky & Telescope. 12 April 2012. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  6. ^ a b c Kronk, Gary W. "C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)". Archived from the original on 5 April 2001. Retrieved 13 June 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)()
  7. ^ ScienceAtNASA (14 March 2013). "ScienceCasts: Sunset Comet". YouTube. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  8. ^ Ferrín, Ignacio (1 August 2014). "The location of Oort Cloud comets C/2011 L4 Panstarrs and C/2012 S1 ISON on a comet evolutionary diagram". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 442 (2): 1731–1754. doi:10.1093/mnras/stu820. hdl:10495/8143.
  9. ^ Paradowski, Mieczyslaw Leszek (1 March 2020). "A new method of determining brightness and size of cometary nuclei". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. 492 (3): 4175–4188. doi:10.1093/mnras/stz3597.
  10. ^ "MPEC 2011-L33 : COMET C/2011 L4 (PANSTARRS)". IAU Minor Planet Center. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2012. (CK11L040)
  11. ^ "MPEC 2012-J16 : OBSERVATIONS AND ORBITS OF COMETS". IAU Minor Planet Center. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
  12. ^ Jakub Cerny (7 October 2012). "Watching comet Panstarrs activity". Robotic telescope FRAM. Archived from the original on 14 March 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  13. ^ David Seargent (10 February 2013). "L4 naked-eye and T5 faded". comets-ml · Comets Mailing List. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  14. ^ Geert Barentsen (5 March 2013). "Map: when can you see comet PanSTARRS". Archived from the original on 10 March 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  15. ^ J.P.Navarro Pina (23 October 2012). "UPDATE THE LIGHT VISUAL CURVE OF COMET C/2011 L4 PANSTARRS". COMETS & ASTROPHYSICAL. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2012.
  16. ^ Jakub Cerny (12 January 2013). "Comet Panstarrs brightening slowdown". comets-ml · Comets Mailing List. Archived from the original on 10 February 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  17. ^ a b Yoshida, Seiichi. "C/2011 L4 ( PanSTARRS )". www.aerith.net. Retrieved 25 February 2013.
  18. ^ a b Ferrin, Ignacio (2013). "Secular Light Curves of Comets C/2011 L4 Panstarrs and C/2012 S1 ISON". University of Antioquia. arXiv:1302.4621. Bibcode:2013arXiv1302.4621F. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  19. ^ "Recent Comet Brightness Estimates". Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  20. ^ Stuart Atkinson (7 March 2013). "Comet PANSTARRS". Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  21. ^ Deborah Byrd. "Everything you need to know: How to see Comet PANSTARRS". Earthsky. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  22. ^ King, Bob (3 May 2013). "Comet PANSTARRS for die-hards". Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  23. ^ Comet C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS) with sodium tail - 15 March 2013
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to C/2011 L4.
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