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 Comet Hale Bopp - Facts, Information, and Pictures
Comet Hale Bopp was discovered in 1995 independently by two people, Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp.  This was on of the greatest comets to view in the 20th century.  It reached within 1.3 AU of Earth on March 22, 1997.  An AU is an "astronomical unit" which is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun, 93million miles.  It was so bright that it could be seen in the most light polluted skies.

Hale Bopp has a highly elongated orbit that swings it around the Sun and out in the outer solar system, far beyond the orbit of Pluto.  Comet Hale Bopp has a huge nuclei estimated to be between 25 and 50 miles across.   The average comet has a nucleus that is 1 to 2 miles in diameter.  It orbits the Sun every 2,392 years.  It is believed to be 4.5 billion years old, the same age as the Sun.

Hale Bopp

Image of Comet Hale Bopp

 

Hale Bopp

Photograph of Comet Hale Bopp flying by Earth

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