Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) Photographs
from NOAO Staff Members
(and Friends)

NOAO/KPNO is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA), Inc. under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation

"Hale-Bopp Comet - landing in a Giant Asparagus Patch?" This interesting picture of Comet Hale-Bopp was taken by Bill McCrady (University of Arizona Student Health) on May 4, 1997 in Tucson, AZ. The plants in the foreground are Century Plants ( up to 20 feet tall), giant Agave plants which suddenly grow these tall spears which then branch and bloom, then the plant falls over and dies. The flash unit was triggered from about 25 feet away from the plants and behind the camera during the time exposure. (Pentax K2 with 50 mm lens, at f 2, 25 seconds exp. Kodak Gold ASA 1000.)

This blue filter image of comet Hale-Bopp was obtained the evening of April 12, 1997 by Chuck Claver from his Oro Valley backyard (just north of Tucson). Chuck used an SBIG (Santa Barbara Instrument Group) ST8 + 50mm f/2 lens to take a series of fifteen 2 minute exposures. Using the comet nucleus as a reference Chuck regestered all fifteen images to produce this final average. The field of view seen here is approximately 15 degrees wide by 10 degrees high. A 600Kb image is also available.

This is the same image as the above one by Chuck but greatly enhanced to bring out some of the more subtle and faint detail in the ion tail. A 600Kb image of this enhancement is also available.

This image of comet Hale-Bopp was taken by Chuck Claver (NOAO) from his backyard in Oro Valley, AZ on the evening of April, 9 1997. The camera was a SBIG (Santa Barbara Instrument Group) ST8 + 35mm f/3.5 lens having a field of view of approximately 22x15 degrees and was mounted "piggyback" on a Celestron 8 telescope. Chuck combined red, green and blue images to create this near true color image of the comet. Each of the three filtered images were themselves made by combining 3 or more separate 2 minute exposures.

"An Unexpected Lighting Effect" - Hale-Bopp Comet from the Saguaro National Monument- West, near Tucson, Arizona, taken about 8 PM on April 7, 1997 by Bill McCrady (University of Arizona Student Health). The foreground desert plants are illuminated by some very low, dim sidewalk lamps. (Pentax K2 with 50 mm lens, at f 2, about 25 seconds exp. Kodak Gold ASA 1000.)

Comet Hale-Bopp as seen over the desert and under the watchful eyes of the seven sisters (the Pleiades cluster is to the left of the comet). This photograph was taken on April 6, 1997 from north of Tucson, AZ (Fuji 800 ASA, 30 sec. exposure) by Nalin Samarasinha.

This April 5, 1997 photo shows Comet Hale-Bopp over Kitt Peak's 50-inch. The dome is highlighted by zodiacal light and the Visitor Center red safety lights. (50mm, f2.0, 30 seconds, Fuji 800 ASA.) Image by and copyright by Kris Koenig.

Comet Hale-Bopp taken by Roger Lynds on April 5, 1997 near Pagosa Springs, CO. (13 minute exposure, Ektar 1000, Nikon 100mm, f2.5) Some tree branches can be seen in the foreground.

This photograph of Comet Hale-Bopp was taken by Dean Ketelsen on March 18, 1997 from the Mt. Lemmon Highway in the Catalina Mountains just north of Tucson. North is to the top and west is to the right. (4m exposure, 8" f/1.5 Schmidt)

This image of comet Hale-Bopp was obtained by Chuck Claver (NOAO) on March 18, 1997 using 60 second red, green and blue exposures with a SBIG (Santa Barbara Instrument Group) ST8+35mm f/3.5 lens mounted "piggyback" on a Celestron 8 from the backyard of John Vermette, northwest of Tucson, AZ. The field of view is approximately 22x15 degrees. The color restoration and processing were done by Nigel Sharp (NOAO).

Photograph taken on March 18, 1997 from the east end of Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ by Adam Block. The skyglow limited the exposure time. (200mm camera lens (zoomed in); exposure time: 10 minutes (guided); film: Fuji ASA 800)

"Comet Hale-Bopp and Stargazer" - taken March 17, 1997 from Redington Pass in the mountains near Tucson, AZ by Detrick Branston. Camera was piggyback for a 1-minute exposure with the foreground illuminated by a flash. (Fuji Super G 800 Plus film, 50-mm lens at f2.8)

"Alone Amongst the Stars" - taken March 17, 1997 from Redington Pass in the mountains near Tucson, AZ by Detrick Branston. Camera was piggyback for a 5-minute exposure. (Fuji Super G 800 Plus film, 50-mm lens at f2.8)

"A Desert View" - 30 sec exposure taken on March 17, 1997 by Detrick Branston in the desert near Tucson, AZ. (Fuji Super G 800 Plus film, 50-mm lens at f2.8)

Image Copyright Michael Terenzoni-1997. 3 min exposure of Comet Hale-Bopp with cactus from near Marana,Arizona on Saturday morning, March 17, 1997. Hypered Fuji Super G 800 Plus film was used with a 50mm lens. A camera flash was used to light the saguaro. This photograph appeared locally on the front page of the Arizona Daily Star on 3/27/97. Prints are available; please contact Michael Terenzoni (miket@ns.arizona.edu).

Hale-Bopp, taken by Roger Lynds, on March 15, 1997 at 5am from Tucson, AZ.

Photograph taken March 8, 1997 from Arizona City, AZ, by Adam Block. The North American Nebula is seen in the top of the image. (50mm camera lens (zoomed out); exposure time: 15 minutes (guided); film: Fuji ASA 800)

"The Giant Saguaros Stand in Awe of the Comet" - On March 13, 1997 about 4:30-5:00 AM, Comet Hale-Bopp was photographed by Bill McCrady (University of Arizona Student Health) as it rose over the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson. The comet is framed by nearby saguaros. (Taken with a Pentax K-2, 50mm lens at f2, 10 sec exp, Kodak Royal Gold ASA 1000.)

This photograph of Comet Hale-Bopp was taken by Dean Ketelsen on March 6, 1997 from the Mt. Lemmon Highway in the Catalina Mountains just north of Tucson. North is to the top and west is to the right. (4m exposure, 8" f/1.5 Schmidt)

"Fireworks from Heaven and Earth" - taken on March 6, 1997 from Tucson, AZ by Detrick Branston. A camera was mounted on a tripod for a 5-second exposure capturing Comet Hale-Bopp and contrails from a rocket launch which originated from While Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. (Fuji Super G 800 Plus film, 50-mm lens at f2.8)

"Comet Viewing Surprise" - a view of Comet Hale-Bopp at sunrise on March 6, 1997 along with contrails from a rocket launch from the While Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The picture was taken by Bill McCrady (University of Arizona Student Health) from his front yard in Tucson, AZ. (Taken with a Pentax K-2, 28mm lens at f2.8, 5 sec exp, Kodak Royal Gold ASA 1000.)

This photograph of Comet Hale-Bopp was taken by Dean Ketelsen on February 19, 1997 from the Mt. Lemmon Highway in the Catalina Mountains just north of Tucson. North is to the top and west is to the right. (4m exposure, 8" f/1.5 Schmidt)

This photograph of Comet Hale-Bopp was taken by Dean Ketelsen on February 10, 1997 from the Mt. Lemmon Highway in the Catalina Mountains just north of Tucson. North is to the top and west is to the right. (4m exposure, 8" f/1.5 Schmidt)