Astronomy Picture of the Day

Explanation: Comet Hale-Bopp has returned from behind the Sun. In December and early January, Comet Hale-Bopp was too near the Sun to be easily visible from Earth. Now the comet graces the morning sky and is visible from dark locations even without binoculars. The above photo was taken on January 31^st and shows the two emerging tails of Comet Hale-Bopp. The blue wisp pointing up is the ion tale, while the white fuzz is the dust tail. On its trip to the inner Solar System, Comet Hale-Bopp is once again showing signs it could brighten in the next few months to become the most spectacular comet in modern times.

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Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.

Publications with keywords: Comet Hale-Bopp
Publications with words: Comet Hale-Bopp
See also:

• Comet Hale-Bopp Over Val Parola Pass
• Comet Hale Bopp Over the Superstition Mountains
• Exploring Comet Tails
• The Comet and the Galaxy
• Comet Hale Bopp Over Val Parola Pass
• The Dust and Ion Tales of Comet Hale-Bopp
• Comet Hale Bopp and the North America Nebula

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