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Comet Hale-Bopp Closest Approach to Earth (1.315 AU)

Comet Hale–Bopp (formally designated C/1995 O1) is a long-period comet that was one of the most widely observed of the 20th century and one of the brightest seen for many decades. Alan Hale and...

Comet Hale–Bopp (formally designated C/1995 O1) is a long-period comet that was one of the most widely observed of the 20th century and one of the brightest seen for many decades.

Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp discovered Comet Hale–Bopp separately on July 23, 1995, before it became visible to the naked eye. It is difficult to predict the maximum brightness of new comets with any degree of certainty, but Hale–Bopp exceeded most predictions when it passed perihelion on April 1, 1997, reaching about magnitude −1.8. Its massive nucleus size made it visible to the naked eye for a record 18 months. This is twice as long as the Great Comet of 1811, the previous record holder. Accordingly, Hale–Bopp was dubbed the Great Comet of 1997.

Historical Significance

Comet Hale–Bopp (formally designated C/1995 O1) is a long-period comet that was one of the most widely observed of the 20th century and one of the brightest seen for many decades.

Events Before

  1. After 27 years, Betty Rubble debuts as a Flintstone chewable vitamin character

    After 27 years, Betty Rubble debuts as a Flintstone chewable vitamin character

  2. Princess of Rock Lisa Marie Presley files for divorce from King of Pop Michael Jackson in NYC

    Princess of Rock Lisa Marie Presley files for divorce from King of Pop Michael Jackson in NYC

  3. "ER" TV actress Yvette Freeman (39) weds musical director Lawny Hartley (49) in Dunleith, Delaware

    "ER" TV actress Yvette Freeman (39) weds musical director Lawny Hartley (49) in Dunleith, Delaware

  4. The 6,138th performance of "Cats" is held in London, surpassing the record of Broadway's longest-running musical, "A Cho

    The 6,138th performance of "Cats" is held in London, surpassing the record of Broadway's longest-running musical, "A Chorus Line"

  5. Death Row/Interscope Records releases rapper Tupac Shakur's fourth studio album "All Eyez on Me," his final release duri

    Death Row/Interscope Records releases rapper Tupac Shakur's fourth studio album "All Eyez on Me," his final release during his lifetime

Events After

  1. Helen Wills Moody dies

    Helen Wills Moody, American tennis player, known for american tennis player, died on 1998-01-01.

  2. A paper published by Bryony Coles highlights the submerged land between Britain and Europe in the modern North Sea as a

    A paper published by Bryony Coles highlights the submerged land between Britain and Europe in the modern North Sea as a once crucial inhabited landmass and names it Doggerland [1]

  3. President Bill Clinton says "I want to say one thing to the American people; I did not have sexual relations with that w

    President Bill Clinton says "I want to say one thing to the American people; I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky"

  4. Osama bin Laden publishes a fatwa declaring jihad against all Jews and Crusaders

    Osama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden (10 March 1957 – 2 May 2011) was the founder and first general emir of the al-Qaeda militant organization.

  5. "Baywatch" actress Pamela Anderson (31) divorces Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee (35) after 3 years of marriage

    Pamela Denise Anderson is a Canadian-American actress, model and media personality.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on March 22, 1997?
Comet Hale–Bopp (formally designated C/1995 O1) is a long-period comet that was one of the most widely observed of the 20th century and one of the brightest seen for many decades. Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp discovered Comet Hale–Bopp separately on July 23, 1995, before it became visible to the naked eye. It is difficult to predict the maximum brightness of new comets with any degree of certainty, but Hale–Bopp exceeded most predictions when it passed perihelion on April 1, 1997, reaching about magnitude −1.8.
Why is Comet Hale-Bopp Closest Approach to Earth (1.315 AU) significant?
Comet Hale–Bopp (formally designated C/1995 O1) is a long-period comet that was one of the most widely observed of the 20th century and one of the brightest seen for many decades.

Explore More

March 22 in HistoryYear 1997