C/2012 K1 (PanSTARRS)

C/2012 K1 (PANSTARRS)

After easily finding comet Jacques, I turned the scope northward and found this comet easily too. It was found at the top of Bootes, near beta Boo.

Unlike Jacques, this comet was slightly smaller and its' coma was more condensed. A bright "core" (p-nucleus) was observed.

In around 50 minutes, the comet had moved noticeably. Not a very big or bright comet, but easily found anyway.

This comet will peak in August, so I expected to observe it several more times in the next few months. It should reach binocular visibility (10x50's) in August and stay bright thru September.

I did not have another observing opportunity on this comet, but it did show a coma and very good movement over only an hour.

(click on image below to enlarge)