The Hunt For PANSTARRS - Part 1

All the craze lately, astronomically speaking that is, has been Comet PANSTARRS or Pan-STARRS (I have no idea why it is capitalized).  Here briefly for just a few viewing days in this hemisphere and a small one at that, all the skygazers have been trying to get good pictures of it before it flies away.  Scientists still don't know if it will ever return so this is it, at least for me anyway, for PANSTARRS.   

This is a tricky one since they say it can only be seen in a small window of time while the sun is setting.  I arrive to the beach early and watch these two make hearts with their arms and pose for the camera.

Ah, young love.  Poor stupid children.  But I digress.

While Romeo and Juliet are making keepsakes on the beach, and I really do think its sweet, regardless of my crusty, rusty exterior,  a wind surfer is having fun with the waves.

Of all the water activities, this one seems to need great skill.  Above him is a giant kite-like thing that he must manipulate and control or he goes slamming into rocks or toward Galveston, Texas.  I imagine it could launch you upwards, too if the wind is strong enough.

And then there is the threat of sharks.  My imagination sometimes gets the best of me.  No sharks out here.  Are there?

The whole family is out here to take pictures of the sunset and maybe even PANSTARRS.

I have made a nest on one of the decks or walkways to the beach and have my camera all set to go.  There is another photog there as well, and people have arrived to get a glimpse of the Comet.  

The other photographer sets up with more equipment than I and longer lens and all that good stuff and informs us that the small streak above the horizon is, indeed, PANSTARRS.   It must be because it pretty much stays there while other streaks from jets seem to move and then dissipate.  

So there you have it.  PANSTARRS comet, a small comet as comets go but it is pretty neat anyway.  It is the very small dot in the center of the picture. 

Here, the comet is in the center with a vapor trail just to the right and another to the right and lower.  Looks like the jet is running right into it.

PANNSTARRS Comet, 2013.  

The comet has now faded, it only lasts a few minutes then is below the horizon as it circles the sun.  Now it is the moon that makes an appearance.  

PANNSTARRS dips below the horizon and leaves this rather nice picture of the moon and the onset of the night sky.  

But like any determined pseudo-astronomer-photographer I will return the next night to see if I can get more pictures of the the Comet.  You won't want to miss this, guys.  See 'ya tomorrow.