A Faint Comet Follows Friday’s Full Moon
You’ll need binoculars to see 45P
The Michigan Science Center
When the full moon rises in the evening of Feb. 11, it will be passing through the Earth’s outer shadow (penumbra). A few hours later, a comet will appear in the sky, although you’ll need binoculars–and a clear sky–to see it. Paulette Epstein is Planetarium Manager and Staff Astronomer at the Michigan Science Center in Detroit. She says the moon will look a little dimmer during the penumbral eclipse, which happens 7:43 p.m. Detroit time. Epstein also tells WDET’s Pat Batcheller Comet 45P (Honda-Mrkos-Pajdusakova) will resemble a faint green football in the eastern sky around 3 a.m. on Feb. 12. Click on the audio player to hear the conversation.
MORE:
Sky & Telescope: Green Comet Makes Close Earth Flyby
Sky & Telescope: February’s Deep Penumbral Eclipse
NASA’s August 2017 Total Solar Eclipse Page
