Hyakutake

Comet Hyakutake was passing across the handle of the Big Dipper on March 25, 1996. Photo taken with a 100 mm lens from Mt. Pinos, CA at 8100'

Hale-Bopp

In the left picture, Comet Hale-Bopp was passing through the constellation of Lacerta near Cygnus on March 9, 1997. The North American Nebula is in the top right. The photograph was taken with a 100 mm lens from Mt. Pinos.

In the right picture, Comet Hale-Bopp was in Perseus on April 8, 1997. This photo was taken with a 500 mm lens.

Hale Bopp

In the left picture, Comet Hale-Bopp was in Perseus on April 8, 1997. The Perseus Double Cluster is on the top right. The photograph was taken with a 100 mm lens.

The right picture was taken of the nucleus using eyepiece projection, yielding an effective focal length of about 4800 mm. This shows the shells of gas emminating from the nucleus. The photo was taken on March 30, 1997.