C/2011 L4

C/2011 L4 ( PanStarrs ) is a non - periodic comet, which was discovered in June 2011. He was visible to the naked eye in March and April 2013 in Central Europe. The comet was tracked with the Pan - STARRS telescope, which stands on the summit of Haleakala on the island of Maui.

C/2011 L4 had an apparent magnitude of 19 likes, when he was discovered in June 2011. In May 2012, the comet had brightened to 13.5 mag and could already be observed in the aftermath of large amateur telescopes. On March 5, 2013 had C/2011 L4 reaches 1.09 AU distance, the closest approach to the Earth. The closest approach to the Sun ( perihelion ) on 10 March 2013. Thereafter, the comet for a short time was to be seen even with the naked eye.

Comet C/2011 L4 may require millions of years from the Oort cloud into the inner solar system. After the perihelion passage is expected that the comet will swing in an orbit with a period of about 110,000 years.