Comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 01)

These images of Comet Hale-Bopp were taken on March 20, 1997 and on April 5, 1997 at what was then the Fort Worth Astronomical Society’s dark sky site located in Wise County, Texas. They were obtained using a Nikon FM 35mm SLR with ISO 1000 to 1600 film. The camera was tripod mounted and I used a cable release in manual mode with an over sized lens cap. I’d cap the lens and then fire off the shutter, let any vibration die down and then gently remove the lens cap to expose the film. These exposures are all in the 30 second to one and half minute duration. Click an image to be taken to the gallery for more details regarding each image.