In addition to the gas giant planet, which is well placed for evening viewing , the image contains an impressive sampler of celestial goodies. Many famous emission nebulae are visible as reddish patches - M16, the Eagle nebula , is just above and right of center, with the Horseshoe nebula, M17, just below it and farther to the right. The much anticipated comet Hale-Bopp is also clearly visible. Click on the picture to view the comet's location flanked by superposed vertical lines . The comet was discovered while still beyond the orbit of Jupiter a year ago today independently by Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp .
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