Posted on 12/22/2012 9:30:25 PM PST by SunkenCiv
Explanation: Comet Hale-Bopp, the Great Comet of 1997, became much brighter than any surrounding stars. It was seen even over bright city lights. Away from city lights, however, it put on quite a spectacular show. Here Comet Hale-Bopp was photographed above Val Parola Pass in the Dolomite mountains surrounding Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Comet Hale-Bopp's blue ion tail, consisting of ions from the comet's nucleus, is pushed out by the solar wind. The white dust tail is composed of larger particles of dust from the nucleus driven by the pressure of sunlight, that orbit behind the comet. Observations showed that Comet Hale-Bopp's nucleus spins about once every 12 hours. A comet that may well exceed Hale-Bopp's peak brightness is expected to fall into the inner Solar System next year.
(Excerpt) Read more at 129.164.179.22 ...
[Credit & Copyright: A. Dimai, (Col Druscie Obs.), AAC]
The "Heaven's Gate" mass suicide was 15 years ago, that amazes me.
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The "Heaven's Gate" mass suicide was 15 years ago, that amazes me.
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Comet ISON due in 2013:
http://earthsky.org/space/big-sun-diving-comet-ison-might-be-spectacular-in-2013
Wondering if the Mayans had data on Hale-Bopp.
Hale-Bopp was brighter, but Hyakutake, which made a close approach to earth on March 25, 1996, made a unique impression. I observed it close overhead when the tail spanned the entire sky, as it seemed, with a very distinct and beautiful blue swath.
They appeared in close succession, and I think of that time as “the comet days” as I made frequent trips to the hinterlands to observe them.
We’ll be able to see Hale-Bopp again in just 2500 years.
Note to self: Cut nuts off, buy tracksuit and sneakers and hop aboard the invisible spaceship tariling the comet. . .
Note to self: Cut nuts off, buy tracksuit and sneakers and hop aboard the invisible spaceship trailing the comet. . .
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