Find That Comet!

Hale-Bopp Whole Sky Maps

To practice using these maps, your classroom needs to be set up as a "horizon planetarium" with posters of the constellations hung on the walls in their proper locations for a particular time of year and time of day or night (see When Is It Visible). Your teacher may have already done this, or may get your help to create and hang the posters. Once that is done...

Pick out, download, and print the appropriate online whole sky star map (or get a copy from your teacher):

• Fall, 1996
• Winter, 1997
• Spring, 1997

To use the star map,

• Turn (rotate) the map until the words Comet Hale-Bopp look right-side up to you.
• Note what constellation the comet is in.
• Find that constellation in your classroom "horizon planetarium" (find which poster has the constellation that should have the comet in it).
• To find other constellations, turn (rotate) the map until the constellation you are looking for looks right-side up to you.

Now you are ready to look for the real Comet Hale Bopp!

Take your star map and try to find a dark sky location for your search in the real sky.

Happy comet-hunting!!!