Newsroom/World View

The Comet Is Coming

Aired March 13, 1997 - 4:30 a.m. ET

CASSANDRA HENDERSON, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Well, some astronomers say it will be the comet of the century.

TONY FRASSRAND, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): And it could be lighting up the night sky by the end of March.

HENDERSON: The Comet Hale-Bopp is already visible to the naked eye.

FRASSRAND: It certainly is, Cass. In fact, the other morning, I saw it clearly in the sky with the tail and everything.

HENDERSON: Did you?

FRASSRAND: It was very cool. Yes.

HENDERSON: Wow. Well, why is it called Hale-Bopp?

FRASSRAND: Well, I'd have to guess for you.

HENDERSON: I will tell you why.

(voice-over) It was named after Alan (ph) Hale and Tom Bopp, two strangers living 400 miles apart in the Southwest U.S.

FRASSRAND (voice-over): One night in July 1995, each spotted the comet minutes apart using amateur telescopes at their homes.

HENDERSON (voice-over): Ann Kellan shows us how you can see Hale-Bopp from your home.

ANN KELLAN, CNN NEWS (voice-over): This week, most of us will still have to get up early to catch a glimpse of Comet Hale-Bopp because it's only visible before dawn. Amateur astronomers are catching great views of this comet. Some photographs are taken through telescopes, others are taken without where it looks like a fuzzy dot, but astronomers are expecting a much brighter and bigger glowing object in two weeks as it gets closer to Earth.

(on camera) Hale-Bopp is expected to be the biggest and brightest comet to come our way since 1811. The comet can only be seen in the Northern Hemisphere, so don't miss the opportunity to take a look. For the best view, you might want to grab a pair of binoculars and go to a dark area away from city and street lights.

(voice-over) To find the comet right now, go out before dawn and look in the direction of the sunrise in the east and just a little to the left. Hale-Bopp will look like a fuzzy star. Soon you'll be able to see the comet at sunset and just after. The further north you live, the sooner that will be. In fact, people living in Canada may be able to see the comet at dusk now. Just look in the direction of the sunset in the west and then a little to the right.

These pictures of Comet Hale-Bopp were taken recently. You can see pictures like these on the World Wide Web. Check out our site at cnn.com for links to Hale-Bopp Web pages. In the weeks ahead, we'll keep you posted on when and where to look out for this comet and show you some of the latest photographs taken by professional and amateur astronomers around the world.

Ann Kellan, CNN, reporting.

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