Comet Hyakutake is a bright comet that was discovered on January 30, 1996, by Japanese amateur astronomer Yuji Hyakutake. It became famous for its close approach to Earth in March 1996, coming within 15 million kilometers, making it one of the closest comets to pass by our planet in recent history. The comet is notable for its long, bright tail and its high orbital inclination of about 90 degrees. Comet Hyakutake is classified as a long-period comet, taking approximately 70,000 years to complete one orbit around the Sun. Its spectacular appearance captivated skywatchers around the world.