![](\"https:\/\/scontent.flhr3-1.fna.fbcdn.net\/v\/t1.0-9\/s960x960\/78373754_10157835384076639_7560548093561667584_o.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_oc=AQlMOI61pCtd4lezFo10F_fKMCxONs5cSD8-qzM2_9JWNnQn9c9dw45tXNZcBAxhsGA&_nc_ht=scontent.flhr3-1.fna&_nc_tp=1&oh=958daaf7af777673a89716dbbed4a018&oe=5EAE076F\")
<\/p>\nComet C\/2017 T2 PANSTARRS is getting brighter.<\/p>\n
It will come to perihelion in early May, when it will be in the constellation of Camelopardalis.<\/p>\n
It will be at its brightest around this time and moving fairly fast. It was predicted to become as bright as magnitude +8.5. However, the brightness comets can achieve are always fairly difficult to predict, it certainly seems to be exceeding expectations and has already reached a magnitude of +10.8.<\/p>\n
Below is an image I took of the comet on the 29th of November.
\n(Notice the track of the small asteroid moving just above the comet at the time).<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
If this brightening continues, it may (or may not) get a lot brighter than +8.5.
\nSo how bright could it become?<\/p>\n
The only way to know for sure is to get out and keep having a look at it.<\/p>\n
It is certainly a very nice comet already with a distinct dusty tail visible.<\/p>\n
This comet is going to favour northern hemisphere observers and is heading north.
\nIt will also maintain a high northerly altitude throughout its apparition, taking us right the way into the Summer.<\/p>\n
The maps below show the path it will take amongst the stars.<\/p>\n
It is currently in the head of Perseus. As it tracks across its path, it passes a few notably bright objects.
\nThese should make for very nice images with the objects being so close together on the following dates:<\/p>\n
The Sword Handle Double Cluster in Perseus.<\/strong><\/span> Open Cluster NGC 886 and The Heart & Soul Nebulae.<\/strong><\/span> Gamma Camelopardalis.<\/strong><\/span> A nice cluster of galaxies including NGC 2633 and 2643.<\/strong><\/span> Galaxies M81 and M82.<\/strong><\/span> Galaxy IC2574.<\/span><\/strong> Dubhe.<\/strong><\/span> Phecda.<\/strong><\/span> M106.<\/strong><\/span> NGC 4490.<\/strong><\/span> Coma Berenices Star Cluster.<\/strong><\/span> Maps.<\/span><\/strong> <\/p>\n
\nBetween the 25th of January and the 2nd of February.<\/p>\n
\n13th March and a week either side for the larger nebulae.<\/p>\n
\n11th & 12th of April.<\/p>\n
\n15th & 16th of May.<\/p>\n
\n23rd to the 25th of April.<\/p>\n
\n25th & 26th of April.<\/p>\n
\n4th & 5th of June.<\/p>\n
\n15th & 16th of June.<\/p>\n
\n24th & 25th of June.<\/p>\n
\n1st July.<\/p>\n
\n17th, 18th and 19th of July.<\/p>\n
\n(Click on map for bigger view).<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.star-gazing.co.uk\/Files\/Maps\/C2017T2-1stWide.png\")
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