Best view of Hale-Bopp comet coming at end of the month

Copyright 1997 Mike Terenzoni Comet Hale-Bopp will be closest to Earth March 23 and is now visible to the naked eye in the northeastern morning sky.

Comet Hale-Bopp, "the brightest comet in over 20 years," will make its closest approach to Earth March 23, said Michael Terenzoni, planetarium technician for the Flandrau Science Center.

Amateur astronomers Alan Hale of New Mexico and Thomas Bopp of Arizona discovered the comet July 23, 1995, said Michael Magee, Flandrau's planetarium coordinator.

"Viewing will be better this year, especially for city dwellers," Terenzoni said.

The comet will have a brighter tail towards the end of March and beginning of April.

For viewing, Terenzoni recommended that students walk to the Sam Hughes neighborhood, about a block east of North Campbell Avenue. Amateur astronomers will get the best glimpse of the comet through binoculars, he said.

Flandrau will also offer bus trips to view the comet in March and April. First, viewers will see a show at the Flandrau Science Center and then take a trip to a dark sky site in Marana, northwest of Tucson.

Flandrau is currently showing "The Comets are Coming," which gives a history of comets in general and the impact comets have had on human culture. For example, comets were once thought to be a sign of doom.

David Levy, a local amateur astronomer and comet watcher, wrote the show's script.

Flandrau's show also covers some tips for viewing the comet.

Magee said comet Hale-Bopp is visible in the northeastern morning sky, an hour before sunrise. In the later part of March, it will be present in the northwestern evening sky as well.

Terenzoni added that comets do not "streak" across the sky like meteors. To the unaided eye, Hale-Bopp will look like a "fuzzy" star. The tail will be more detectable with the aid of binoculars.

Viewers who want tips on watching Hale-Bopp can call 621-4310, the astronomy newsline, for a recorded guide.