Second Chance to see Comet Pan-STARRS

Cloudy skies Tuesday night from the major-snowstorm-that-wasn't prevented most people in Northern Virginia from seeing the Comet Pan-STARRS (also know as Comet Panstarrs), but you have a second chance.

Comet Pan-STARRS (also known as Comet Panstarrs), a glob of ice and dust from the heavens, was closest to Earth Tuesday, but you may be able to see the comet Sunday (March 10) when the comet will be closest to the sun, according to Space.com. You'll get another chance Tuesday and Wednesday, March 12 and 13.

Its bright dust tail might be visible to the naked eye, though some have suggested using binoculars (but only after sunset so not to injure the eyes) to see it. 

Also, unlike most meteor showers, the comet should be most visible not in the darkest hours of the night or morning, but at twilight. In Virginia, we're at a disadvantage because of all the light pollution surrounding us.

There are more tips for viewing on this video of Panstarrs.

Comet Panstarrs is named Pan-STARRS for the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System, the telescope that was used in its discovery.

Interested in astronomy?

Riverbend Park in Great Falls has a Jupiter viewing event March 9. Read more about that event here.