On July 23, 1995, an unusually bright comet outside of Jupiter's orbit
was discovered independently by Alan Hale, New Mexico and Thomas Bopp,
Arizona. The new comet, designated C/1995 O1, is the farthest comet
ever discovered by amateurs and appeared 1000 times brighter than
Comet Halley did at the same distance. Normally, comets are inert when
they are beyond the orbit of Jupiter, so it has been speculated that
Comet Hale-Bopp is either a rather large comet or experienced a bright
outburst. As the comet approaches the Sun, its brightness should
increase even more. Anticipation is high that in early 1997, the new
comet may be the brightest naked eye comet since Comet Hyakutake in
1996. Astronomers warn however, that it is still possible that Comet
Hale-Bopp may fizzle out, and could follow the way of past
disappointments such as Comet Kohoutek (1973) and Comet Austin (1990).
On the other hand, Comet Hale-Bopp may put on a dazzling celestial
show to Earth observers. Only time will tell.

                       [ from the Comet Hale-Bopp Home Page ]
----------------------------------------------------------------------

As you may have recognized, this animation was created using Mike
Smithwick's 'Distant Suns 5.0'. The upper half of the screen shows the
comet as we can see it from Earth. To give you a better idea of the
comet's orbit there is a 'fixed view' at the lower part, too.

Well, if you are impressed ;-) then try to contact me:

  FIDO: Marek Jablonski, 2:481/34.3
  Internet: Marek.Jablonski@p3.f34.n481.z2.fidonet.org

 PERMSSN    UID  GID    PACKED    SIZE  RATIO     CRC       STAMP          NAME
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[generic]               997380 2079432  48.0% -lh5- c83a Oct 10  1996 hale_bopp.anim5
[generic]                  842    1554  54.2% -lh5- 6643 Oct 10  1996 comet.readme
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 Total         2 files  998222 2080986  48.0%            Oct 12  1996