Comet Hale-Bopp Observations
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Hale-Bopp 30-03-1997, 20.55 UT
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Hale-Bopp (with open cluster M34) 06-04-1997, 20.37 UT
Both images taken with a Brandon 4" Apo refractor @ f7
At Peach Tree Observatory, Essex.
Kodak Ektachrome Elite 400 5 min exposure
by Nik Szymanek and Ian King
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This excellent sketch of Hale-Bopp by James W Martin was made from Peel, Isle of Man, on March 28 at 21.05UT.
The view, through a 10.25in f6 Dobsonian reflector at 120x shows the peculiar bands - shells of material thrown off by the rotating nucleus.
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© Copyright Robin Scagell (UK), Galaxypix
2 images taken from Kingsbridge, Devon, 28th March 97
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© Copyright Robin Scagell (UK), Galaxypix
Scotchchrome 1600, 1 min exp, 50 mm lens, from St Lawrence, Essex, 18 Feb
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© Copyright Robin Scagell (UK), Galaxypix
135 mm f/4 lens, Ektachrome 1600, 4 March, St Lawrence Bay, Essex. Contrast enhanced
© Copyright Paul Sutherland
Paul Sutherland was able to observe Comet Hale-Bopp during a week of clear skies from the south of France in early February. In fact, the comet's head could even be spotted from the brightly lit station platform at Putney, South West London, and minutes later again in twilight from Clapham Junction, Britain's busiest railway station, en route for Gatwick Airport on the morning of February 3!
The following 5 sketches are all by Paul Sutherland.
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Sketch made on 6.2.97 between 0420-0440 UT with 10x50 binoculars from Puimichel, France (Latitude 44 degrees N). Conditions excellent.
A straight gas tail could be traced for 4 degrees. Mag estimated at 2.1.
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Sketch made 7.2.97 from 0435-0445UT. with 10x50 binoculars from Puimichel, France.
V. clear dark skies. 4 degree tail. Mag = 2.5.
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Sketch made on 8.2.97 after viewing Comet Hale-Bopp at 0435 UT visually through a 20mm eyepiece on the 1-metre reflecting telescope of Dany Cardoen at Puimichel, France. A rough sketch was made with a biro (!) and using inadequate light at the telescope, and the picture here was later redrawn from the note and memory. The comet hood was very striking. The false nucleus was intense, with what looked like a cotton-wool bud attached to the left.
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Sketch made 8.2.97 from 0450 UT at Puimichel, France using 10x50 binoculars.
Conditions excellent. Gas tail now traced to 5 degrees. Mag = 2.5.
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Sketch made 9.2.97 from 0450-0500 UT at Puimichel, France, using 10x50 binoculars. Conditions excellent. 5 degree tail.