Media Information

 
 
 
Collection:
NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day Collection
Title:
Comet Hale-Bopp Over the Superstition Mountains
Explanation:
Four years ago, Comet Hale-Bopp [ http://galileo.ivv.…] was discovered [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…] out near Jupiter [ http://www.seds.org…] falling toward the inner Solar System [ http://spacelink.na…]. Two years ago, it provided spectacular pictures [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…] as it neared its closest approach to the Sun [ http://shutter.vet.…]. Still today, spectacular pictures [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…] of the brightest comet of the 1990s are surfacing. Above, Comet Hale-Bopp was photographed in 1997 behind the Superstition Mountains [ http://www.goodnet.…] in Arizona [ http://www.state.az…]. Clearly visible are the comets white dust tail [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…] that shines by reflected sunlight, and the blue ion tail [ http://antwrp.gsfc.…] that shines by glowing gas. Currently, there are several comets visible [ http://comets.amsme…] from the proper location with a small telescope. A comet visible to the unaided eye [ http://encke.jpl.na…] appears about once every five years.
Credit and Copyright:
William R. Dellinges [ mailto:stargzr@prodi gy.net ]
keyword:
comet
keyword:
Hale-Bopp
facet_when:
1997
facet_where:
Arizona
facet_where:
Jupiter
facet_where:
Ohio
facet_where:
Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)
facet_where:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
facet_what:
Galileo
facet_what:
Sun
facet_what:
Jupiter
facet_what:
COMETS
facet_what:
comet
facet_what:
Comet Hale-Bopp
facet_what:
Hale-Bopp Comet
facet_when_year:
1997
original url:
UID:
SPD-APOD-ap990909

Comet Hale-Bopp Over the Superstition Mountains