The Hale-Bopp comet, officially designated C/1995 O1, was discovered in July 1995 by astronomers Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp. It became one of the brightest comets of the 20th century, visible to the naked eye for a record 18 months, peaking in brightness in March 1997. Observations of Hale-Bopp revealed a large nucleus and two distinct tails: a gas tail and a dust tail. Its unique characteristics provided valuable insights into the composition of comets and the early solar system, making it a significant subject of study for astronomers worldwide.