Hale-Bopp: Climbing Into Southern Skies
Credit and Copyright:
Jurgen Blignaut
Fighting the glow of the setting sun and the city lights of
Cape Town, South
Africa, comet Hale-Bopp is just visible
near the center of this panoramic view - photographed on May 3rd.
In the foreground is the Strand beach front, about 50 km East of Cape Town,
while the Cape Peninsula mountain ranges
can be seen at the left along the horizon.
The bright star visible above and to the left of the comet is the
red giant Aldebaran in the constellation Taurus.
As Hale-Bopp
continues its outbound journey during the month of May it will
climb higher into evening southern skies.
Still a bright comet it is now providing
an enjoyable and much anticipated showing for
Southern Hemisphere observers.