Comet Hale Bopp, discovered by Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp in 1995, was the brightest and best-witnessed comet of the 20th century, visible for 18 months. Its passing caused excitement and controversy, with some believing it marked the arrival of an alien spacecraft.
The passage of a comet often creates excitement among many people. One such object, Comet Hale Bopp, is known as the best-witnessed comet of the 20th century. Visible for a full 18-month period, it was also the brightest seen in decades.
Comet Hale Bopp was first seen on July 23, 1995. It was so far from the sun that scientists predicted it would be extremely bright when it passed Earth. These predictions came true, as during the 18 months that Comet Hale Bopp was visible to the naked eye, it was so bright that it was given the nickname Great Comet of 1997. Comet Hale Bopp passed perihelion on April 1, 1997.
With the recent popularity of the internet during this time, Hale Bopp has quickly become a cultural phenomenon. Websites around the world provided daily updates and images from international locations. Tracking the comet’s progress became a favorite pastime of many people during its period of visibility.
Two observers are credited with discovering Comet Hale Bopp. Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp, avid fans of space observation, were both from the United States. Hale discovered the comet in his driveway in New Mexico shortly after midnight. After realizing what he had seen, Hale contacted the Central Office of Astronomical Telegrams and reported his discovery of him.
At the same time, Bopp had seen the comet while out with friends in Stanfield, Arizona. Although he didn’t have his own telescope, he happened to observe the comet through a friend’s lens. Like Hale, he consulted star charts to be sure his discovery was new, then promptly alerted the Central Bureau of Astronomical Telegrams.
Located between Saturn and Jupiter, Comet Hale Bopp was the furthest distance from Earth from which a comet had ever been discovered. Its orbital position was 7.2 total astronomical units from the sun. After its discovery, it was reported that the Anglo-Australian Telescope had already taken a picture of the comet two years before the find. At its former distance of 13 astronomical units from the sun, such a photo is normally impossible to capture.
Like many historical events, the 1997 Hale Bopp comet caused some controversy. Some people believed that the comet marked the arrival of an alien spacecraft. This view spread rapidly and inspired panic in many areas of the world. As a result of this panic, the Heaven’s Gate cult committed mass suicide.
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