These amazing time-lapse videos capture some spectacular views of comet Pan-STARRS, one of the first great comets of 2013.

The comet is named for the Hawaiian telescope observatory where it was discovered in 2011, has made its way through the inner solar system in recent weeks. During its pass, the object could be seen in the night sky with the naked eye or a good pair of binoculars. Because it is Spring, many viewers were blocked by clouds but there may be an even better chance to see a great comet in November when comet ISON appears. ISON will potentially be bright enough to see during the day.

Pan-STARRS first peeked over the horizon in the Northern Hemisphere on Mar. 7 but shortly thereafter it disappeared when it went too close to the sun. Since Mar. 11, though, it has reappeared each night in the west a bit after sunset for a short time. Particularly stunning views came on the evening of Mar. 12, when the comet flew near the thin crescent moon. The object will continue to shine, getting fainter and fainter, through the end of the month.

The top time-lapse comes from photographer Dan Finnerty of California and shows the soaring comet and crescent moon setting over the Verdugo Hills near Los Angeles. A second video (below) comes from another California photographer, Robert Yen, and captures a similar scene in Los Alivos. Finally, at bottom is an older video from software developer and photographer Alex Cherney of Melbourne, Australia. It shows comet Pan-STARRS streaking through the southern skies in early March alongside another comet, C/2012 F6.

Videos: 1) Dan Finnerty 2) Bob Yen, Jumplive.com Astrophoto.us 3) Alex Cherney