description Alan Hale Overview
Alan Hale is an American astronomer best known for co-discovering Comet Hale-Bopp in 1995 with Thomas Bopp. The discovery made the comet one of the most widely observed astronomical objects of the late 1990s, but Hale's work has also included research and public communication about comets. He founded the Earthrise Institute, a nonprofit organization focused on astronomy and science education. The entry concerns a contemporary scientific figure rather than the comet itself.
help Alan Hale FAQ
What is astronomer Alan Hale famous for discovering?
He co-discovered Comet Hale-Bopp on July 23, 1995, independently spotting it the same night as amateur stargazer Thomas Bopp in Arizona. The comet went on to become one of the most widely observed comets of the twentieth century.
Where were Hale and Bopp when they discovered the comet?
Hale observed from his home in New Mexico while Bopp was at an organized star party in Arizona. Both reported the new object within minutes of each other, which is why the comet carries both names.
When could Comet Hale-Bopp be seen from Earth?
After the 1995 discovery, it grew spectacularly bright through 1996 and 1997, reaching perihelion on April 1, 1997. It stayed visible to the naked eye for well over a year, an unusually long run.
Is the astronomer Alan Hale related to Alan Hale the actor from Gilligan's Island?
No, they're entirely different people. The actor who played the Skipper died in January 1990, five years before the astronomer's comet discovery made the name famous again.
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