Hale-Bopp is a comet that was discovered in 1995 by astronomers Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp. It became one of the brightest comets visible from Earth in the 20th century, reaching its peak brightness in 1997. The comet is notable for its long, bright tail and its large nucleus, which is about 40 kilometers wide. The orbit of Hale-Bopp takes it around the Sun approximately every 2,533 years. Its appearance provided a unique opportunity for scientists to study comets and their composition, contributing to our understanding of the early solar system.