Comet Hale Bopp
(Redirected from Hale Bopp comet)
Because Comet Hale Bopp was particularly bright its close approach to Sol, our sun, and its period of maximum brightness, was widely anticipated, in 1996.[1]
The comet was five times the size of the comet that collided with Planet Earth 60 million years ago, at the time of the extinction of large terrestrial dinosaurs.[1] According to The Times of London the comet was 37 miles (60 km) in diameter.[2]
The comet was so celebrated that it inspired cults.[3] A group of UFO cultists, calling themselves "Heaven's Gate" committed a ritualized mass suicide, inspired by the comet.[2]
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1
"C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) - NASA Science". NASA Science. 2017-11-29. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
Also called the Great Comet of 1997, comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) is a large comet with a nucleus measuring approximately 37 miles (60 kilometers) in diameter. This is about five times the size of the object hypothesized to have led to the demise of the dinosaurs. Due to its large size, this comet was visible to the naked eye for 18 months in 1996 and 1997.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1
"Alan Hale obituary: star gazer who spotted a comet". The Times of London. 2026-07-08. Retrieved 2026-09-26.
Hale used his newfound fame to call for improved scientific literacy and employment opportunities for scientists, and did his best to get out ahead of the slew of conspiracy theories that arrived in the comet’s wake.
- ↑
Elizabeth Howell (2022-02-09). "Hale-Bopp: The Bright and Tragic Comet". Space.com. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
Sadly, there was a tragic footnote to the appearance of Hale-Bopp, 39 people who were part of the "Heaven's Gate" cult in San Diego committed mass suicide as the comet came close to Earth.