Hale-Bopp

Hale-Bopp

Credit: E. Kolmhofer, H. Raab; Johannes-Kepler-Observatory, Linz, Austria

Hale-Bopp hubble image

Credit: H.A. Weaver (Applied Research Corp.), P.D. Feldman (JHU), NASA/ESA

Aphelion:

370.8 AU

Perihelion:

0.914 AU

Orbital Period:

~ 2,533 years

Hale-Bopp was discovered in July 23, 1995.

Its last closest approach to the sun (perihelion) was on April 1st, 1997.

Hale-Bopp was visible to the naked eye for 18 months when it was nearest to Earth in 1997.