00:01On this day in space. On March 22, 1997, a super bright comet by the name of Hale-Bopp
00:07made its closest approach to Earth. It was bright enough for people to see without telescopes or
00:12binoculars for over 18 months. Comet Hale-Bopp still holds the record for being visible to the
00:17naked eye for longer than any other comet, and it was probably the most viewed comet in history.
00:22It passed by Earth at a safe distance of about 120 million miles before continuing on its orbit
00:27around the sun. As it got closer to the sun, its two blue and white tails grew bigger and brighter.
00:33By the time it made it to the sun on April 1, it was shining brighter than every star in
00:37the sky
00:37except for Sirius. And that's what happened on this day in space.
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