The Hale-Bopp comet is one of the most observed comets in history, discovered in 1995 by astronomers Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp. It became visible to the naked eye in 1996 and remained bright for nearly 18 months, making it a spectacular sight for skywatchers around the world. This comet is notable for its large size and distinctive double tail, which is formed by gas and dust particles. Hale-Bopp has an orbital period of approximately 2,533 years, meaning it will not return to the inner solar system until around the year 4385.