Awe-Inspiring Sight

The skies in April can always be counted upon to rain down "shours swete," but along with the rains this spring has come a celestial phenomenon - Comet Hale-Bopp - that would have made Chaucer's pilgrims tremble in their boots.

Medieval Europe believed, as some societies do to this day, that comets portended one or another evil - plague, fire, war, death. Peering up at Hale-Bopp's two awe-inspiring tails as the comet ascends the northwest sky soon after sunset, those fears are understandable.

One of the brightest comets of the century, Hale-Bopp was said to have entered its "hectic" phase as of last week. If there's a better way to describe a spectacle that has surprised observers with its unexpected luminosity - the third-brightest comet recorded since the year 1400, and gaining every night - we don't know what it is.

On Tuesday, Hale-Bopp will reach its closest point to the sun before it starts to move away. Here on the East End, where it is relatively easy to get out from under the milky glow of the light pollution which washes out the sky over cities and suburbs, anyone who can walk or drive just a short distance can witness the incandescent show.

With the moon on the wane, the sight will be even better. If you can see just a few stars, you will be able to see the comet with the naked eye. Through binoculars, you'll also see the two tails, one straight, narrow, and bluish, the other wider and reddish-yellow.

Hale-Bopp, which was discovered almost simultaneously by two backyard American astronomers about 18 months ago, is said to be one of the most-photographed celestial objects ever. Go on out one of these cloudless nights, and take a look. You'll understand why.