Planetary Society logo
  • “Exploration is in our nature.” - Carl Sagan

Comet Hyakutake

Comet Hyakutake
Comet Hyakutake Comet Hyakutake provided the best celestial show in decades when it passed by Earth on its way to swing around the Sun. In late March and early April, the comet grew so bright that it was even visible in the light-polluted skies of major cities in the northern hemisphere. This photograph, however, was not taken in a major city: the comet appears over Kenai, Alaska, where the city lights barely dimmed the comet's glowing tail. Millions of people around the world who rarely glance at the night sky were enraptured by the unexpected visitor. With luck, their interest will be captured again next spring, when comet Hale-Bopp—with the potential to be even brighter—flies through our neighborhood. Bill Hutchinson