Between this Friday and March 17, Bangkokians will have a rare chance to observe a non-periodic comet as it passes through the Western portion of the sky visible from the city.
The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) announced earlier this week that Comet C/2011 L4 (Panstarrs) would be visible from Bangkok for about half an hour after sunset between this Friday and March 17.
Provided the pollution surrounding Bangkok keeps to a relative minimum (fingers crossed), the comet should be visible to the naked eye. Viewers will be able to recognize it as the brightest object in the Western night sky. The Bangkok Post reports that Panstarrs will reach its greatest florescence on Sunday.
If you have even a passing interest in astronomy, make time to go out and see Panstarrs, since it will not be visible again within our lifetimes.
