Comet Hale-Bopp
is being observed by many different telescopes. Here the comet is pictured
behind the array of radio telescopes
which compose the Plateau de Bure Interferometer.
These telescopes are being used to detect the presence of different molecules
in the coma and tail of Comet Hale-Bopp. Molecules detected
in the comet include carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. The
abundance of different types of molecules in Comet Hale-Bopp's
coma give clues to its composition
and history, as well as clues to the composition and history of
our Solar System. Comet Hale-Bopp
has now rounded the Sun and is headed
back out. It can still be seen by northern observers for several
weeks in the northwest sky after sunset.
