The comet is about to disappear for a couple of months behind the sun. When it emerges in 1997, it could scare animals and people too.

What Astronomy Magazine figures sunset will look like on April 1, 1997 - the comet's brightest night.

And after it emerges into view in 1997, the comet makes a beautiful arc across the sky. It sails right over Pegasus and nearly "touches" our nearest neighbor galaxy - the famous Andromeda Galaxy - on the day it's supposed to be the brightest, April 1. Before this, it passes neatly through the Milky Way. It should be awesome!

During October and November, Hale-Bopp is in the southwest sky right after sunset. Pretty high in October, getting lower in November. It's only bright enough to see in very dark skies or through binoculars. But come spring, look out! Sky and Telescope Magazine has just said this could be the brightest comet since the 1500s. Modern civilization has never witnessed one of these giant comets.