Comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1) will try to hold its own this week against strong competition from the waxing Moon. Reports indicate that the comet is still near magnitude -0.5 with a lovely dust tail that was nearly 20 degrees long when viewed from a dark site. Even in strong moonlight, the comet will be unmistakable. Look at least 1-1/4 hours after sunset when the sky is completely dark. Comet Hale-Bopp should be obvious 20 to 30 degrees above the northwestern horizon (depending on your latitude).
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