Knowra Comet Hale–Bopp Comet Hale–Bopp Comet Hale–Bopp is a long-period comet discovered independently by Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp in 1995. It remained visible to the naked eye for 18 months in 1996–1997.
Alan Hale : Alan Hale is an American astronomer who independently discovered Comet Hale–Bopp in 1995. He spotted the comet while observing from New Mexico on July 23, 1995.
Comet : A small Solar System body of ice, dust, and rocky material that releases gas and dust near the Sun. Hale–Bopp’s coma and tails formed as sunlight heated its icy nucleus.
Comet nucleus : The solid central body of a comet, composed mainly of ice, dust, and rocky material. Hale–Bopp’s nucleus supplied the gas and dust that made the comet visible.
Amateur astronomy : Astronomical observation and study conducted by people outside professional research roles. Bopp’s discovery showed how amateur observers could contribute directly to comet discovery.
Thomas Bopp : Thomas Bopp was an American amateur astronomer who independently discovered Comet Hale–Bopp in 1995. His independent discovery, made the same night as Hale’s, brought the comet to public attention.
Long-period comet : A comet with an orbital period longer than 200 years, generally arriving from the distant outer Solar System. Hale–Bopp’s highly elongated orbit takes it thousands of years to return.
Cometary dust : Solid particles released from a comet’s nucleus as it becomes active near the Sun. Dust scattered sunlight and formed the comet’s broad, curved tail.
Comet observation : The visual, photographic, or instrumental study of comets and their changing activity. Hale–Bopp’s brightness enabled extensive observations by both professionals and amateurs.
Great Comet of 1997 : The name commonly given to Comet Hale–Bopp during its spectacular 1997 appearance. The comet’s long naked-eye visibility made it one of the most widely observed comets of the century.
Coma (cometary) : The cloud of gas and dust surrounding an active comet’s nucleus. Hale–Bopp developed a large, bright coma as its surface ices sublimated.
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