An unusually large comet, Hale-Bopp appeared in our skies during the latter part of 1996 and became a much-observed object for many months. While never coming very close to the sun or the Earth, (about 1.3 A.U.) the size of this comet (estimated to be about 30 miles across) resulted in a beautiful sight easily seen by everyone. Closest approach to the sun occurred on April 1, 1997, at a distance of 85 million miles. Considering how bright and large in the sky the Hale-Bopp was at the time, one can only imagine what an incredible sight it would have been had it come closer to Earth and the sun. Orbital calculations reveal that the comet originally returned from the Oort Cloud every 4,000 plus years but that its passage through the inner solar system this time shortened the future orbit to approximately half of that period.

Taken early April, 1997, with 135mm Nikkor F:2.8 lens wide open on Kodak Royal Gold 1000 color negative- about 3 minutes exposure, using the C-5 for tracking.