... Credit: T. Puckett ( Puckett Observatory ) Explanation: This enhanced composite image detailing structure in the coma and dust tail of Hale-Bopp was recorded May 5 - one day before the comet's passage from north to south across the plane of Earth's orbit . ... The comet's interaction with the changing equatorial solar wind and magnetic field during this crossing is expected to produce distortions and disconnections of Hale-Bopp's ion tail . ... Publications with keywords: Comet Hale-Bopp . ...