C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS)
C/2011 L4 , 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. It was discovered using the Pan-STARRS telescope located near the summit of Haleakalā, on the island of Maui in Hawaii.
Observational history
Comet C/2011 L4 was still 7.9 AU from the Sun with an apparent magnitude of 19 when it was discovered in June 2011. By early May 2012, it had brightened to magnitude 13.5, and could be seen visually when using a large amateur telescope from a dark site. In October 2012, the coma was estimated to be about in diameter. C/2011 L4 was spotted without optical aid on 7 February 2013 at a magnitude of ~6. Comet PANSTARRS was visible from both hemispheres in the first weeks of March, and passed closest to Earth on 5 March 2013 at a distance of 1.09 AU. It came to perihelion on 10 March 2013. Original estimates predicted that C/2011 L4 would brighten to roughly apparent magnitude 0. An estimate in October 2012 predicted that it might brighten to magnitude −4. In January 2013 there was a noticeable brightening slowdown that suggested that it may only brighten to magnitude +1. During February the brightness curve showed a further slowdown suggesting a perihelion magnitude of around +2.However, a study using the secular light curve indicates that C/2011 L4 had a "slowdown event" when it was from the Sun at a magnitude 5.6. 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".
When C/2011 L4 reached perihelion in March 2013, the actual peak magnitude turned out to be around +1, 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. On 17–18 March, C/2011 L4 was near the 2.8-magnitude star Algenib. On 22 April, it was near Beta Cassiopeiae. On 12–14 May, it was near Gamma Cephei. C/2011 L4 continued moving North until 28 May. The comet may have had a sodium tail as Comet Hale–Bopp had.