Hundreds of people around the world waited just in time to see Hale Bopp, the brightest comet in nearly a century that reached its brightest peak when it entered its closest point with the sun. The Hale Bopp was discovered on July 23, 1995 and is the third comet in brilliance since 1400. Insert photo with the comet. Astronomer looking through the telescope at the observatory of the University of Hertfordshire in England. Night panorama of the city of Tokyo, Japan. Date: 2/4/1997 Duration: 1 minute 7 seconds Code: UG-1833