Hale Bopp: Comet of the Century!

Observer's reports

From: JOHN PAZMINO john.pazmino@moondog.com
Date: Wed, 02 Apr 97 11:44:00 -0400
Subject: Hale-Bopp 29 March 1997 (never give up)

I went to the comet viewing session in Central Park, Manhattan, on Saturday 29 March 1997. And, yes, I did see Hale-Bopp. Now, read that again carefully. No, it does NOT say I saw the comet from the Park. OK, what happened?

The day on Saturday the 29th of March was cloudy and it started to rain in the mid afternoon. The Amateur Astronomers Association scheduled one of its several comet sessions for the evening, starting at sundown, in Sheep Meadow of Central Park. The session was called off. However, I had an idea. In New York an afternoon thunder storm commonly ends at sundown and the clouds dissipate by nightfall. Thus, even tho I would have no company in the Park, I may get a good view of Hale-Bopp!

So my father gave me a ride to the Brighton Beach subway under a summer-like thunder-&-lightning storm. The Brighton Beach route goes straight to Columbus Circle, an entry into the Park, with a one-seat ride. The train crosses from Brooklyn into Manhattan on Manhattan Bridge. From the train I had a full panorama of the City. Yep, the storm was still in force with clouds hovering 150 meters of so off the ground.

How can one tell? Rain clouds are featureless gray blankets with nothing to gage their elevation.

Ah!, in New York, we got cloud gages. The skyscrapers are so tall that when the clouds lower in storms they cover the upper floors! Truly from this phaenomenon the term 'skyscraper' comes. So on this day the clouds came down to about the 150m 'mark' on the 'rulers'.

At Columbus Circle I exited to the street and, lo!, the rain eased up to an annoting pitter-patter. The sky was definitely brightening in the west, tho it was still thickly overcast. I walked over to Sheep Meadow, the actuall site of the comet viewing. All its gates were locked; the session was cancelled. Over the chest high chainlink fence I saw no one at all in the field. By now, quite 18:00, the rain tapered to a splashing drizzle.

Oh, what the hell. I walked along the park paths keeping Sheep Meadow on my right with the old 'hand on the wall' technique. No one around but a few joggers and dagwalkers. I never suffered wetting from the direct rain. I had a hooded jacket and a wollknit hat. What did discomfort me were the puddles along the paths. I stepped into several, some reaching over my shoes. Stamping the feet did shake off the bulk of the water before it soaked into the socks.

The rain continued to ebb and the clouds gradually thinned. The clouds lifted off of the towers, expoosing their entire statures. Far too slowly. At this rate the sky would clear well after 20:00, when Hale-Bopp is behind the skyline. The whole point of using Sheep Meadow is that as an open grassy field a ha-klick across we would have stationed at the east end to get a low skyline to the west.

By the time I reached the east side of Sheep Meadow it was obvious that the clouds would linger thru late twilight to prevent any view of the comet. I went home. Being now over a half kilometer from Columbus Circle I did not walk back there for my train. At the southeast corner of the Park is an other station, Fifth Avenue, that has trains that connect to mine.

If your memories of our transit system linger from the American Bicenttennial or the Ellis Island or Brooklyn Bridge celebrations, they are utterly ediurnate. This Fifth Avenue station, along with scores of others, is under gut rebuilding into really beautiful places. Without going into the details, the station looks like it was constructed from scratch only this year, altho it was in continuous service since World War One. And it keeps the arts-&-crafts mosaic tiles that are so legendary in New York's subways.

Again, after changing to the Brighton Beach train, I crossed Manhattan on the way to Brookltn. The sky was actually blue with twilight, but still shielded with clouds. The rain was completely stopped.

By the time I got home, in the Gelfand's Hill section of Brooklyn, the clouds were shredding apart. It was 19:30. I watched the northwest sky from my stoop. No comet. The sky was gauzed over in its blue spots. Yet it was possibly going to clear up in time to spot Hale-Bopp. Maybe.

I looked again at 19:45. Still thin clouds blocked the comet. Would I lose the sighting for tonight? I can take that fate, given the erratic weather we get in the City.

I checked at 20:00. Bingo! The comet peeped thru the clouds! OK, I could see just the head as a regular 'star'. Any tail was mixed in the residual cloud shreds and gauze. In bioculars the head had a close- hugging haze around it, but no good structure.

So!, I did see Hale-Bopp and followed it for an other twenty minutes until it slid behind houses for the night. I can hardly urge anyone to be as silly as I was that Saturday, but it goes to show that one can never give up on seeing this comet.

From: Mark Wagner mgw@resource-intl.com
Date: Mon, 31 Mar 1997 15:06:44 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Comet Crazies

Friday night, The Astronomy Connection (TAC) held a star party at a middle school in Los Gatos, California, for the public to come out and get aquainted with Comet Hale-Bopp. As sunset approached, the number of telescopes we had exceeded 20, brought in by active observers from Monterey, the upper San Francisco peninsula, and out into the east ba. This is a large geographic area, and can testify to the desire and willingness of like-minded observers to travel unusual distances to share views and camaraderie. Before the sun fell behind the Santa Cruz mountains, roughly a hundred interested members of the public had gathered, along with local newspaper photographers, looking at the hardware, which included an 18" Obsession, 18" Sky Design, 17" home-built, 14.5" home-built, several 10" and 8" dobs, a number of Meade LX-200's ranging in size from 12" down to 8's, a Celestron Ultima 2000, Astrophyics 130 and Traveler, Takahashi 128, Miyauchi 20x100 binoculars, and many other wonderful optics. The crowd loved it.

Soon, the comet blinked into view below a few wisps of cloud drifting slowly in the west, from north to south. The excitement in the crowd was electric, as all heads turned northwest and voices murmured "right there" and "just under *that* little cloud. Binoculars and telescopes quickly swung into action. The owner of the 12" LX-200, being new to large crowds at events pushed by the press, commented to me twice that there were "too many people!" And in fact, had we fewer than what at that point must have easily been 25 telescopes set up, the crush would have been unbearable. Lines were long at all the equipment, and more people could be seen streaming into the school yard from the parking lot.

All sorts of questions were asked. What are the "rings" around the front of the comet. What will happen to it? Have they ever hit the earth and what would happen? What are they made of? How large are they? Where do they come from? And, of course, the usual gasps of amazement and comments on the beauty of the view in binoculars, where the extent of the visible tail could be appreciated.

We received thanks from so many people, it was an extremely rewarding evening. Of course, when the comet dropped into the muck, scopes turned to the other celestial delights. M42, Mars showed wonderful detail in the 5" Takahashi and in a 17" dob (with off-axis masking), M41, M46, M81 and M82, M65 and M66 with (much to my surprise) the companion NGC3628, and many other objects.

Finally, about 11:30, the crowds had gone home, as had many of the scopes. Although there was some haziness that night, making the sky brighter than it might otherwise be from that location, all who were there agreed that for an in-town site, it was worth coming back to. We will hold another star party there on April 11, and I expect the comet fever will have reached maximum brilliance by then.

...
Soon this comet will pass, remembered fondly for its beauty and how it for a moment stimulated the public's imagination and interest in astronomy, and we will return to the normal craziness of summer time observing at Fremont Peak. Just a few more weekends until then.

I think the next dark sky TAC event will not be until the comet passes. Peace and quite are beginning to sound like a nice companion.

Clear skies,

From: Tony Cecce, Corning, NY CECCE_AJ@CORNING.COM
Date: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 11:16:40 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Hale-Bopp ion tail

Observing Report
March 27, 1997
Caton/Corning NY


We had a wonderful night to observe the comet here in Corning New York thursday evening. I started off the night taking some tripod shots of the comet over a small pond, with its reflection plainly visible in the surface of the dark water. I ended up at the Collins Observatory at around 8:00 pm as full darkness fell.

I was surprised by the number of cars in the parking lot, with a steady stream of visitors travelling to and from the observatory at the top of the hill. I was greeted at the top by a huge crowd gathered in the observing field, large groups and lines of people were at each of the instruments the observatory workers had set up. This was the most people I have ever seen at the observatory in one time. I estimate that well over 1,000 people visited the observatory that night. This is close to 1% of the total population within thirty miles. The media publicity combined with the first true spring day had everyone fired up. Above this entire scene sat the most dazzling comet I have ever seen.

The limiting magnitude in the region of the sky around the comet was about 5.0, with the glaring lights of the campus lighting up the area bright enough to read by. Despite this the comet displayed a bright, long, and wide dust tail. The ion tail, while still there was much less prominent than my last dark sky view two week earlier. The dust tail stretched about 10 degrees, while the ghostly ion trail could be followed for over 15 degrees. Through the telescope the numerous hoods were still in place, with a bright one still attached to the southern side of the nucleus. The comet was not much smaller in these conditions than what I observed a little while earlier from darker skies. I concur with the recent reports on ASTRO that the ion tail has faded in brightness, but I believe the length is still there. Could it be that the sun itself has something to do with the reduced emission glow of the ion tail?

All around the field people were comparing HB to Hyakutake. The general concensus seemed to be that while HB was much more dazzling and noticeable, Hyakutake was the more impressive for its size and beautiful gossamer tail. My personal opinion is that trying to pick my favorite between the two would be like trying to pick my favorite out of my children, it can't be done. I must admit though that HB has to rated as the greater of the two comets just for its availability to everyone, including city dwellers. I have had several people report they "discovered" HB without looking for it or even knowing it was there. This never happened with Hyakutake.

I took numerous shots of the comet with various lenses. I have a feeling the best shots will be the ones through my 28mm lens. Hopefully I captured the crowd in the observing field and the dome with the comet hanging above them. You have to love a comet where the prefered optical element is a wide angle lens.

Best luck for good weather and I hope everyone gets a chance to view this visitor. That includes wishes for a lasting brightness that will allow our southern friends a chance to see it also.

From: Les Cowley lev@dial.pipex.com
Date: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 11:01:24
Subject: Re: hale/bopp ion tail missing

The ion tail was very much present on Wednesday 26th.

Late afternoon the satellite picture showed a patch of clear sky coming on from the Atlantic so with the local skies still cloudy we escaped from light-polluted England across into the Welsh mountains.

Hale-Bopp blazed there in one of the clearest twilight skies I can remember. Once the sky was really dark it was truly magnificent. There was some scudding cloud but otherwise the sky was crystal clear.

The dust tail to the naked eye was distinctly curved and less than 10 degrees long. The ion tail was very much fainter but in a way more spectacular. Using averted vision the whole ghostly thing flickered back and forth into visibility, extending straight out and well into Cassiopeia. Through binoculars there were hints of ion tail structure - it was best to keep the bright head and dust tail well out of the field.

Driving home, an orange distorted gibbous moon was just lifting from the horizon. The night of the century.

From: George Zay GeoZay@aol.com Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 15:21:51 -0500 (EST) Subject: Hale/Bopp ion tail missing

Hello John,
Thanks for the note about Hale/Bopps ion tail...yes I did see your posting on aol's bulletin board. To update you here... I made two photographs of Hale/bopp On the evening of March 25th....one in black in white (tmax-400) and one in color (Fuji color 800). Both were 15 minutes long and under very dark skies from my observatory in Descanso. In both instances, I used my 200mm f/3.5 lens. Upon arriving home that night, I developed the black and white...mainly because I was curious about what the ion tail looked like...since I wasn't able to pick it out that night visually. Because viewing time was a very short and my priority was for photographs, I didn't really get a good visual look. After developing the black and white, I noticed no ion tail. The next morning, I took another look under a very bright light and can just barely notice a faint ion tail...about several times fainter than what I have in the past for the same exposure. When it was low in the morning sky, I had no problems viewing or photographing the ion tail. This afternoon, I just had my color film processed. The ion tail is just barely there....both on the negative and print...no where near the saturation I got on previous occasions. Also on the dust tail I can see a slight arc now....pointing downwards from my location in a northerly direction.

From: David Emigh emigh@APOLLO.COMMNET.EDU
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 12:43:18 -0500
Subject: Ephemerides for the UFO following Hale-Bopp?

I am disappointed, with all of you observing the comet and nobody giving the coordinates for the UFO following it. Sounds like a conspiracy to me ;)

From: Brian Halbrook (bhalbroo@mich.com) Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 12:31:28 -0400 Subject: A perfect eclipse and a beautiful comet (long)

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From: Karl A. Matz (karl.matz@mankato.msus.edu) Date: Fri, 21 Mar 1997 08:36:02 -0600 Subject: Out of the mouths of babes - Short HB story

Hi:

I didn't want my two remaining daughters to miss the Comet of the century (the eldest is away at school) so I took them out one at a time.

14 year old with Binocs : Coooooolllll! What's the tail made of, why doesn't it melt when it gets to the Sun, what is it made of .. . etc etc etc.

4 year old after peering though the eyepiece of my 8" reflector: MOMMY MOMMY I saw the VOMIT!

KARL

From: Michael Boschat andromed@ATM.DAL.CA
Date: Wed, 19 Mar 1997 19:58:52 -0400
Subject: Comet Hale-Bopp March 19/20

Time: 2250 to 2330 UT
Latitude: N 44d 39'
Longitude: W 63d 36'
Height above sea level: 58 meters
Limiting mag.: 4.0
Seeing (1 to 5 - best to worst): 1.5 - 2
Instrument: Tento ( USSR made ) 10x50 binoculars, 80mm refractor f/11

Description:

Hale-Bopp was seen at 2245 UT with my 10x50's.

At 2255 UT I used my 80 mm refractor at powers of 48x and 122x to observe the " arcs " in front of the white nucleus, which appeared stellar looking.

Since it was still twilight this cut down on the glare of the comet nucleus and was helpful seeing this detail.

I noticed 3 " arcs ", the first one ( 1 ) close to the nucleus was short and bright, the second one ( 2 ) a bit away was a little larger and bright, the third ( 3 ) was larger and fainter than the first 2. A curious thing, the space between the 2nd and 3rd arcs' looked almost like a shadow ( # ) close to the 2nd arc. Similar to Saturn's shadow on the globe, where there is a bright area and the shadow right with it.

                            Arc  Arc     Arc

N                            1    2S      3
  \                                       \               48x - 122x
E /                               \#        \             80mm refr.
                              \    \#        \
                              *\    \#       \
                              \    \#       \
                                  \#       \
                                          \

The # indicates where the "shadow" effect was located.

Note: I used a diagonal so the image should be flipped over with dust tail on left.

Estimate of comet magnitude: I put it at about -1.5 magnitude. Close to Mercury's in the evening sky.

Clear skies

________________________________________________________________
Michael Boschat ( Astronomer )    E-mail: andromed@atm.dal.ca
Atmospheric Sciences              Phone: (902) 494-7060
Dept. of Oceanography             FAX: (902) 494-2885
Dalhousie University              
Halifax, Nova Scotia 
CANADA, B3H 4J1          ASTRONOMY Web Page: http://www.atm.dal.ca/~andromed

From: Harald Schenk hschenk@excel.net
Date: Sun, 16 Mar 1997 15:29:26 -0600
Subject: Rural observations

Hi:

Yesterday, I had to drive my daughter back to college. The trip involved 175 miles each way. On the way home, I thought that I might use the opportunity to view Comet HB from a dark sky setting.

Let me just issue a quick warning. NEVER drive at 65 mph while gawking out the windshield for a comet. I saw at least four semi-trailers abandoned in snow-covered ditches. I could have easily joined them. (Yes, some parts of the world have snow. Lots of it.)

I found the comet AFTER I had pulled over to the side. (It made me sneeze and caugh right away) :) It looks beautiful, but still doesn't seem as bright as Comet West. With the comet in the NW, Mars rising in the East, and the 1/2 Moon above Orion to the South, and passing drivers wondering what I was craning my neck at - it was paradise. I could have spent an hour just viewing the scene.

But, then my bubble burst. There were teenagers at home... needed the car... social obligations... need I say more?

From: JOHN LEPPERT denebobs@utma.com
Date: Wed, 12 Mar 1997 10:23:48 -0800
Subject: Comet Hale-Bopp observation reports

Comet Hale-Bopp become circumpolar at this site March 10th and will remain so for 30 days.

MARCH 11. I awoke to a clear sky at half past four and reached the obser- vatory at ten of five. The view in the northeast was stunning. Comet Hale- Bopp, not unlike witnessing a total solar eclipse, is really beyond ones ability (or certainly mine) to describe --- best left to experience visually and emotionally. That stated, unfortunately, language is all I've got.

This evening, I again viewed the comet over a period of several hours with binoculars from the comfort of the house, first locating it within 40 minutes of sunset with the naked eye (20.1o altitude and 309.7o in azimuth), and an hour later at 8 o'clock in a nearly dark sky (13.1o and 319.0o, respectively). At 9 o'clock thin cloud was seen to occasionally obscure and than uncover it in rapid fashion, skidding across the coma from the west and than appearing to ripple along the length of its tail. As the coma disappeared the cloud was back-lighted by the bright nucleus nearly giving a view similar to that seen in the Orion nebula. The whole effect was really quite lovely. My last view at half past ten, was of the comet framed on either side by two large spruce trees while the horizon was aglow in the diffuse light of a developing aurora at 1.5o altitude and 344.9o in azimuth.

MARCH 12. I awoke at half past four to find the comet high in the northeast and last night's aurora still active across the northern horizon and nearly reaching upwards to the brilliant coma. The diffuse arcing light and the comet appeared of about equal brightness and both remained so until twilight overtook the splendid sight. Since the SCT is out of commission for my taking photographs, I again opted for the comfort of a chair, the tripod mounted 8x56 binoculars, and making a drawing in the calm 2oF late winter air. The field offered a stunning sight of perhaps forty or more suns, among them were three bright stars, two at 4.5 magnitude and the other at 5.1 magnitude (6, 11 and 13 Lacertae, respectively).

John Leppert
Deneb Observatory 48o 56' 07"N 99o 09' 40" W

From: George Zay GeoZay@aol.com Date: Sun, 9 Mar 1997 09:53:54 -0500 (EST) Subject: Hale/Bopp Observation Mar 6 ZAYGE

March 9, 1997

Had another beautiful night to observe under...sky LM near 6.1... not a cloud in sight. I had the same pattern from the previous night...started out after sunset taking a few astrophotos for about an hour and a half. Then an hour and a half nap...then at 10:30pm I started my meteor plotting for the night until 3:35...then began setting up to make two exposures of comet Hale/Bopp...one black and white and the other in color...both with the 4" SCT. As for meteor activity....well SLOW is definitely a four letter word. Nothing exciting recorded...just some garden variety type meteors. The brightest were a couple 0 magnitudes.

I looked at Hale/Bopp thru my 7X50's and 14X100 binoculars as well thru the10"SCT. With the naked eye, I was able to see about 1.5 degrees of dust tail and 6 degrees of the ion tail. Thru the 7X50's I could make out about 6.5 degrees of dust tail and 10.5 degrees of ion. I estimated Hale/Bopp's magnitude after comparing with Vega and taking into consideration of extinction to be near -0.2. Definitely bright. I don't know if I will make a run to the observatory tomorrow morning...getting kinda tired. But will for sure the next day if the sky is clear. If it looks like rain in the forecast soon...I just may go out.

George Zay
La Mesa, Ca
32 North 116 West

From: Rod Mollise RMOLLISE@aol.com
Date: Sat, 8 Mar 1997 11:56:39 -0500 (EST)
Subject: VIDEO TAPING HALE-BOPP

Hi all:

I've been observing and photographing Hale-Bopp at every opportunity. I've also been doing a lot of video astronomy lately (Mars right now), so I wondered whether it would be possible to capture any _trace_ of Hale-Bopp using a standard Sony Camcorder. Conventional wisdom is that a non-integrating CCD really won't capture much in the way of extended objects. I figured the nucleus might show up and that that would be about it. I resolved to try it this morning, though. Even if all I captured was a hint of the nucleus, at least the videotape would provide me with a nice souvenir of the comet's passage.

The comet was beautiful at 4:45am this morning, and was framed by (finally) crystal clear skies. I didn't feel up to setting up the Ultima 8 or the 12.5" Newtonian, so I dragged Big Red (my 8" f7 'Old Coulter') out onto the front porch. The comet was so incredibly beautiful in the eyepiece (arcs/hoods of nuclear material, dust lanes, jets, etc.) that I almost forgot about the video camera. The comet was very bright with the naked eye (0 or so), and there was at least a couple of degrees of tail visible in my light-polluted surroundings, so I thought the Sony might at least show something. And indeed, by using the lens at max zoom, a respectable length of tail IS visible on video on the finished tape! I got a very nice shot of the comet framed by bare branches as the sky brightened. Using the camera at the eyepiece (afocal method), I was also able to record some detail in the nucleus using a 26mm Plossl on the telescope. Some of the 'arcs' are plainly visible on tape. So all-in-all I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome! If you've got ANY type of video camera, drag it out and try it on Hale-Bopp! I think you'll be as pleased with the results as I was!

Peace,

Rod Mollise
Mobile Astronomical Society
32 North 116 West

From: Rick Fluck rfluck@srv.net
Date: Fri, 7 Mar 1997 23:44:16 -0700
Subject: Evening Observation, Comet Hale-Bopp

Good evening,

I am pleased to report an evening sighting of Comet Hale-Bopp, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Like most US observers on this list, we have been plagued by an overcast sky for weeks. My first viewing of HB was the 16th of February, at 4:40 AM, MST, at about 18 degrees altitude, mag. 1.3, in the eastern morning sky. Tonight while driving west, I decided to look through the clearing, or best described as a glory hole, while stopped at one of our towns exorbitantly long stop lights. It is a well lighted intersection. I spotted a very faint Saturn, then to my surprise, up in the Northwest was HB. Bright, fuzzy and unmistakably a comet. It was 7:41 PM, MST; I could not wait to get home. Both my wife and I enjoyed views of the comet through our 7X35 binoculars. Her first time viewing HB and I actually heard her say WOW. My wife even mentioned that the head of the comet looked bean shaped. The tail, I estimate to be 3 degrees, as visible with the naked eye. I estimate the azimuth to be 290 degrees, NW, and an altitude of 14 degrees. I estimate the magnitude, comparing it to Betelgeuse, to be .3. The color appeared to be yellowish white. The sky is now clouded over; but what a show, and it's only the beginning of March!

I took several pictures of the comet using a 2X adapter and a 50 mm lens on my 35mm camera, with 15 to 20 second exposures; using the trees and old houses as a foreground. My iris was set to f 1.4 on the 2X adapter and f 2.0 on the 50 mm.

Clear sky to all.

       //      Rick Fluck        \\    Now that you have judged me,
 http://www.controlvisioninc.com      just think what our diversity
      \\   rfluck@srv.net        //         can do as a team.

          43.30 N 112.0 W

From: George Zay GeoZay@aol.com
Date: Thu, 6 Mar 1997 09:52:47 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Hale/Bopp Observation Mar 6 ZAYGE

March 6, 1997

Got up to another early morning run to my observatory prior going to work just to photograph Hale/Bopp. Left the house around 02:30. Anyhow, after getting set up, I saw Hale/Bopp rising near 4 am....I mean clearing some mountains around 4 am...it rose about an hour earlier than that. I had clear 6.0 skies initially. I made a magnitude estimate of +0.1 this morning comparing to Vega. Just about a match. Thru my 14X100 and 7X50 binoculars, I estimate the comets ion tail to be about 6 degrees long and the dust tail to be 4.5 degrees long. I don't have the most sensitive eyes in the world but I'm sure it's a lot longer for those who do. With the naked eye, I'm able to see the tail for 1.5 degrees...a big difference from the light polluted location near home and work.

I tried photographing again with my 200 mm f/3.5 lens piggy backed to my 10"SCT. I made a 25 minute exposure with the camera that had T-Max 400 black and white film. Afterwards, I swapped cameras and started exposing the camera with Fuji 400 color film. Midway thru the exposure I started to noticing some serious cirrus crud drifting over the comet. I stopped short my intended 25 minute exposure to 17 minutes. I then used the remainder of my time...about 5 minutes to take a quick look at the comet thru the 10"SCT. At 62 magnification, I was able to see at least 2 concentric waves of material surrounding the front of the nucleus...It looked impressive. I was in a hurry and didn't have time to go to higher magnifications...I will do that in two days when I have a few days off to observe with leisure etc. Thru the 10" the nucleus looked stellar to me...no bar shapes or splitting.

George Zay
Descanso, Calif.
32 North 116 West

From: Michael Boschat andromed@ATM.DAL.CA
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 05:41:27 -0400
Subject: Comet Hale-Bopp Morning sky Mar.3,1997 @ 0845 UT

Hello Observers!:

• Date: March 3, 1997
• Time: 0830 to 0850 UT
• Location: Roof dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CANADA
• Observer: Michael Boschat
• Latitude: N 44d 39'
• Longitude: W 63d 36'
• Height above sea level: 58 meters
• Limiting mag.: 5.0
• Seeing (1 to 5 - best to worst): 2 with middle cloud
• Instrument: Tento ( USSR made ) 10x50 binoculars

Description:

Biking to the University I saw Hale-Bopp with the naked-eye as a bright white comet and a 3 degree tail pointing towards he middle of Cygnus. Upon arriving I quickly got my binoculars and looked at the comet as clouds began to approach. I was struck by the bright white color and in the 10x50 I could see a 5 degree tail and with averted vision moving up beyond the brighter part another 2 degree of tail.

The nucleus appeared like a "bar", roughly in an NNE-SSW position it was not a point nucleus as with Hyakutake.

I took my glasses off and saw blobby stars and the comet, using that I put the comet near Vega's magnitude 0.0. It was brighter than Deneb and Altair. It may be close to Capella, but it was not seen.

It's fun to see the comet in the morning sky AND evening sky!

Clear skies

_________________________________________________________________
Michael Boschat ( Astronomer )    E-mail: andromed@atm.dal.ca
Atmospheric Sciences              Phone: (902) 494-7060
Dept. of Oceanography             FAX: (902) 494-2885
Dalhousie University              
Halifax, Nova Scotia 
CANADA, B3H 4J1          ASTRONOMY Web Page: http://www.atm.dal.ca/~andromed

From: George Zay GeoZay@aol.com Date: Sun, 2 Mar 1997 10:05:24 -0500 (EST) Subject: Hale/Bopp Observation Mar 2 ZAYGE

The weather man was wrong...at least from yesterdays initial forecast...it was clear this morning....but I guess not for long. Anyhow, I got up at 02:30 so that I could head out to my Descanso observatory and take some pictures of Hale/Bopp. The comet cleared a saddle in the distant hills at around 04:10...I started my first of 2 exposures at 04:15...a 30 minute exposure with Black and white T-max 400. Afterwards...I quickly swapped cameras and made a 26 minute exposure with Fuji color 400 film. I used my 10"SCT to do the guiding and my 200mm lens at f/3.5 to make the photographs. There were no wind at all...Sky LM near 5.6 and clear. Hopefully I'll have something worthwhile? I will try to develop the black and white image this evening from work. Before I did my camera work, I was able to get some good looking thru my 14X100 binoculars. The comet is definitely getting bright. I estimated it's magnitude to be at +0.4...midway between Vega and Altair. I measured the comets dust tail at 3 degrees. This mornings view of the ion tail was the first time that I was able to see it with ease and for any appreciable length...I give the ion tail at least 5 degrees...and it looked ghostly all by itself on the northern side. I had the feeling that if it was darker, I would have been able to see it extend for at least another 3 or 4 degrees with no trouble at all. The same jet is still to the south east...kinda like a big bright fan streaming off the nucleus. It appears to me as one big jet...but it could be more than one that appears merged?

From: George Zay GeoZay@aol.com
Date: Sat, 1 Mar 1997 11:45:25 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Hale/Bopp Observation Mar 1 ZAYGE

Mar 1, 1997 0430 hrs PST

From my workplace in La Mesa, Ca. under clear skies that were 4.8, I was able to see comet Hale/Bopp once again...WOW!!

What a difference a few days make. It's been about 4 or 5 days since I had a relatively decent look and it's noticeably changed. First, I had no difficulty at all in being able to see the tail with the naked eye. It's not very long, but easy to see.

In regards to the comet's magnitude, I first compared it with Deneb (+1.3)...the comet was much brighter. I then compared with Altair (0.8) and I can see it's now brighter than it. I estimate the comet's magnitude to be around 0.6 or 0.7. I made this estimate with my 7X50 binoculars.

Thru the 14X100's, the first thing that got my attention was how bright that South Eastern jet appeared. It seemed broad and massive as it curved straight back to form the bright dust tail on the south side. On the northside I can see the relatively dimmer ion tail sweeping back not as sharply. It's more of a broad sweep that eventually narrows. It's also pointing more towards the North than the southern tail is. The bright southern tail also seems to be bisecting a short, dim broad tail area not far from the nucleus. Measuring with my binoculars 3.3 degree field, I estimate the longest tail length that I can see is at about 3.1 degrees. I can barely see a separation of the two tails, although that gap is quite narrow and far back from the nucleus.

Next I tried to examine the nucleus withthe 14X100's. It appears stellar to me...that is I see no bar shape that's been reported by some others. Maybe if I tried including that southerly jet I'd get a bar shape? But separately I don't see it...just circular and stellar.

I went inside to write my description...Afterwards at 0515 it was still dark. I couldn't resist the temptation to go back out for a 2nd look. I haven't had this urge since Mar 26 with Hyakutake. I guess you can say it's now at the "AWE" stage.