Palomar Image of Comet Hale-Bopp

139K
Observers: Eleanor Helin, Donald Hamilton, Brian Kern
Location: Palomar Observatory, California
Date: July 30, 1995 UT

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
PASADENA, CALIF.  91109.  TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011

Palomar 60-inch telescope caption

This image of Comet Hale-Bopp, designated 1995 O1, was taken with the 60-inch telescope at Palomar Observatory by astronomers Eleanor Helin, Donald Hamilton, and Brian Kern. The comet was discovered July 23 UT by amateur astronomers Alan Hale, Cloudcroft, N.M., and Thomas Bopp, Stanfield, Ariz. It is well beyond the orbit of Jupiter and has begun to develop a tail.

The new comet was imaged on July 30, 1995 UT using a CCD camera system. It shows the comet in the center of the star field. The image is a 10 second exposure.

Comet Hale-Bopp Home Page