Adding to the current feast of astronomy there’s a comet sort of visible in the early evening sky, Comet C/2014 Q1 (PANSTARRS). You probably need binoculars, telescope or a zoom lens to see it in the vicinity of the moon, Venus and Jupiter.
The comet was closest to the sun on July 5. It can be seen best from the Southern Hemisphere, away from city lights is best.
Colin Legg calls this photo – taken July 18, 2015 – Fabulous Five. He wrote: “Regulus, Venus, Jupiter, Luna,
Comet C/2014 Q1 (PANSTARRS). an awesome sight Saturday night from remote outback Western Australia.”
Read more about this photo from Colin Legg Photography.
Spotting chart:
Comet C/2014 Q1 PanSTARRS is now best seen from the southern hemisphere (Alice Springs, Australia here) during the winter months of July and August. On July 18th (shown here) the comet joins the crescent Moon, Jupiter, and Venus for a scenic gathering in the west at nightfall. Stars to magnitude 6. Click for large version. Chris Marriott’s SkyMap software . Chart and caption via skyandtelescope.com
Source EarthSky: Best photos of the comet
Comet Panstarrs Setting Over Otago Peninsula
Taken by ian Griffin on July 17, 2015 @ Hoopers Inlet, Otago, New Zealand
Local pics at ODT: Comet C/2014 Q1 PanSTARRS from Dunedin
