Non-Stop Hale-Bopp

Hale-Bopp, one of the brightest comets of the 20th century, could be seen in our skies for a record 19 months--from May, 1996-November, 1997. The comet received its name from its co-discoverers Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp. The comet can be seen at center in this photograph taken from the grounds of the former Cedar Rapids Friends Church (now Living Hope Wesleyan Church) in NE Cedar Rapids, Iowa at 7:15 pm on March 30, 1997. The houses in the background are a part of the area's Northbrook II residential development. Although the sun had set 45 minutes before, its glow was still evident on the western horizon. The yellowish splotch just above the tree line at extreme lower left is the planet Mercury, often difficult to observe.