Speaking of comets

[pokerfan]

I think Hyakutake (1996) was much more impressive at its peak than Hale Bopp. Hale Bopp was massive and easily visible at greater distance than was Hyakutake. Hyakutake was an fairly ordinary comet that happened to pass very close to earth. Hyakutake was only discovered a couple of months prior to closest approach. Hale Bopp was discovered almost two YEARS prior to closest approach.

I saw it close to it best (weather was a problem) and from a dark site, the tail extended 45 degrees of sky or better.



Through my telescope (ten inch Newt) geysers could be seen errupting from the head and would change if you observed over the course of several hours.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. Hyakutake was more spectacular for us, too...

Never caught a glimpse of Hale Bopp...