Comet Hyakutake's Orbit . ... The orbits of the Earth and this brightening comet are shown in the above diagram. ... The shape of the comet's orbit is close to a parabola. The comet has come in from the outer Solar System, will pass near the Earth in late March, and pass near the Sun in late April. Comet Hyakutake will appear bright in late March because it is so close to the Earth, and will again appear bright in late April because it is so close to the Sun. ...