imported>Cydebot: Robot - Speedily moving category Space portal to :Category:Outer space portal per CFDS.

2019-04-07T16:46:01Z

Robot - Speedily moving category Space portal to Category:Outer space portal per CFDS.

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[[Image:Comet Hale-Bopp.jpg|150px|left|Comet Hale-Bopp, shortly after passing [[perihelion]] in April 1997.]] '''[[Comet Hale–Bopp]]''' ([[Astronomical naming conventions#Comets|formally designated]] '''C/1995 O1''') was probably the most widely observed [[comet]] of the 20th century, and one of the brightest seen for many decades. It was visible to the [[naked eye]] for a record 18 months, twice as long as the previous record holder, the [[Great Comet of 1811]].

Hale-Bopp was discovered on 23 July 1995 at a very large distance from the Sun, raising expectations that the comet could become very bright when it passed close to the Sun. Although comet brightnesses are very difficult to predic] with any degree of accuracy, Hale-Bopp met or exceeded most predictions for its brightness when it passed [[perihelion]] on April 1, 1997. The comet was dubbed '''the [[Great comet|Great Comet]] of 1997'''.

The passage of Hale-Bopp was notable also for inciting a degree of panic about comets not seen for decades. Rumours that the comet was being followed by an [[extraterrestrial life|alien]] [[spacecraft]] gained remarkable currency, and inspired a mass suicide among followers of the [[Heaven's Gate (religious group)|Heaven's Gate]] [[cult]].

<div style="text-align:right">[[Comet Hale–Bopp|Read more...]]</div>

[[Category:Outer space portal]]

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imported>Cydebot: Robot - Speedily moving category Space portal to :Category:Outer space portal per CFDS.