On May 1, Comet Hyakutake made its closest approach to the Sun . During this time it was not possible to view the comet with most astronomical instruments because of the brightness of the nearby Sun. This picture , taken May 2, shows the tails of Comet Hyakutake pointing away from the Sun, as expected. During its closest approach, Comet Hyakutake passed inside the orbit of Mercury . Comet Hyakutake will not return to the inner Solar System for another 14,000 years.
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