Portal:Astronomy/Featured/May 2006
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Comet Hale-Bopp (formally designated C/1995 O1) was probably the most widely observed comet of the 20th century, and one of the brightest seen for many decades. It was visible to the naked eye for a record 18 months, twice as long as the previous record holder, the Great Comet of 1811.
Hale-Bopp was discovered on 23 July 1995 at a very large distance from the
perihelion on April 1, 1997. The comet was dubbed the Great Comet
of 1997.
The passage of Hale-Bopp was notable also for inciting a degree of
Heaven's Gate cult
.
Recently featured: Galileo Galilei – Carl Sagan – H II region
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