COMET HYAKUTAKE HAS BEEN FASCINATING COMET WATCHERS AND THRILLING THOSE WHO READ THE MESSAGE OF THE STARS AS THEY FOLLOW ITS PATH.
Watchers have been watching for Hale-Bopp to emerge from behind the sun. This comet discovered in 1995 fascinated watchers as its brightened to I0th magnitude in December. February 1, 1996 brought this Comet back into view and its brightness had not faded. It is to be found with a telescope at this time in the sign of Sagittarius, and then from April through July will see it move to Serpens. On April 1, 1996, it was about 20 degrees about the south-eastern horizon, but by June of this year, it will be high in the south. It is expected to be 5 magnitude during the fall of 1996 as it moves northward on the evening sky across Serpens and Ophicuchus. It will disappear into the sunset in December. Then by next March 1, 1997, it will be low in the northeast at dawn, and from mid March through April of 1997, move to low in the northwest after dusk.
Now there is also another comet that will be attracting telescopes this spring and summer. This is comet 22 Pikopff. It will be only a few degrees from Hale-Bopp as is shown on the accompanying chart. For several days around June 11, 1996, they will be just 30 degrees apart and perhaps similarly bright. You will find them a little north of the Teaspoon asterism in northern Sagittarius.