Comet Pan-STARRS makes an appearance over Earth

MIZUHO, Japan – Comet Pan-STARRS passes through the western twilight over earth from March to April. The comet is an ice ball made of dirt currently located approximately 30 million miles from the sun and within 100 million miles of Earth. Although billions of years old, Pan-STARRS is making its first-ever cruise through the inner solar system. The comet was discovered in June 2011 by astronomers using the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System atop the Haleakala volcano in Hawaii. (U.S. Air Force photo by Osakabe Yasuo)

Slideshow: Within 100 million miles

Published March 18, 2013
By Osakabe Yasuo
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

MIZUHO, Japan -- Comet Pan-STARRS passes through the western twilight over earth from March to April. The comet is an ice ball made of dirt currently located approximately 30 million miles from the sun and within 100 million miles of Earth. Although billions of years old, Pan-STARRS is making its first-ever cruise through the inner solar system. The comet was discovered in June 2011 by astronomers using the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System atop the Haleakala volcano in Hawaii. Click here to view more.