In March, C\/2021 S3 PanSTARRS will pass through a part of sky more associated with summer than spring, heading north-northeast from Serpens Cauda through Aquila<\/a>, Sagitta<\/a> and finally into Vulpecula.<\/p> The comet’s incursion into Vulpecula takes it across the deep-sky object known as Collinder 399, Brocchi\u2019s Cluster or the Coathanger Cluster<\/a>.<\/p> Despite its name, the Coathanger is an asterism<\/a> rather than a true star cluster<\/a>. \u00a0<\/p> This region of sky does get to a decent altitude before dawn kicks in, so you should find there are plenty of opportunities to look for and follow the comet<\/a>.<\/p> Planning to spot C\/2021 S3 PanSTARRS? Capture an image with our guide on how to photograph a comet<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p> On 1 March<\/strong>, you\u2019ve got until around 05:00 UT before astronomical twilight begins and true darkness ends.<\/p> By the end of March, this occurs earlier at around 04:50 BST (03:50 UT).\u00a0<\/p> On 1 March<\/strong>, C\/2021 S3 PanSTARRS will be located in a region of sky that, at the start of dawn, has an altitude around 22\u00b0 as seen from the centre of the UK.<\/p> By the end of the month, the comet is passing through the Coathanger Cluster.<\/p> Its altitude will have virtually doubled to around 40\u00b0 while under true darkness.<\/p> Unusually for a comet, this one will be fairly well positioned and shouldn\u2019t cause you too much stress to find!<\/p> There are several key nights that will help you find C\/2021 S3 PanSTARRS if you\u2019re having trouble locating it.<\/p> On the night of 3\/4 March<\/strong>, it lies very close to mag. 3.2 Eta (\u03b7) Serpentis, moving into the vicinity of mag. 5.2 star 59 Serpentis in the early hours of 7 March<\/strong>.<\/p> On the mornings of 14 and 15 March<\/strong>, it sits 3.3\u00b0 northwest of mag. 4.6 Theta (\u03b8) Serpentis.<\/p> The Moon interferes in the last half of March, a key date being the morning of 22 March<\/strong>, when the comet sits close to mag. 3.0 Zeta (\u03b6) Aquilae.<\/p> The Coathanger crossing takes place between 29 and 31 March<\/strong>.<\/p> There is one fly in the ointment: the Moon. This will interfere with views of C\/2021 S3 PanSTARRS from 18 March<\/strong> through to the end of the month.<\/p> At the early part of that range, the Moon will be on the other side of the sky and not too much of a nuisance.<\/p> At the end of that date range, try to grab the comet as soon as it\u2019s above the horizon.<\/p> You may be able to locate it before the Moon has time to rise too high.<\/p> Bookmark our Moon phases and Moonrise times<\/a> page to keep yourself updated.<\/p>C\/2021 S3 PanSTARRS key dates<\/strong><\/h2>
![\"Comet](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2024\/02\/Comet-C-2021-S3-PanSTARRS-coathanger-chart.jpg\")
Comet vs the Moon<\/strong><\/h2>