Hale-Bopp

From: lindgren@meol.mass.edu (Charles F. Lindgren)
Subject: Hale-Bopp
Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 08:50:34 -0500

Show of hands, how many have seen Hale-Bopp yet? I saw it this morning for
the first time. It is worth the effort! Unfortunately it was 5:00 AM, but
the skys were crystal clear. EASILLY visible in the northeastern sky
approx. 25 degrees above the horizon is this star that just "doesn't look
right." I saw the tail through binoculars as a dim fan coming off of the
comet. The coma is brilliant, at least a second magnitude. Viewed against a
background of bare winter trees it made quite an impression. I shot a
series of photographs using Ektachrome Elite 400, a 50mm lens set at f2,
and exposures of 15, 30, and 45 seconds. Based on the weather forcast, this
will probably be my last chance to see the comet this week, but we can hope
for the best. PLEASE go out and give this a look! February's Science and
Children has a great calendar in it on page 39 that gives daily locations
for Hale-Bopp as well as the partial eclipse of the moon on March 23rd, and
where to find Mars. It's going to be a great month!