Explanation : Comet Hale-Bopp is turning out to be quite unusual. One reason is the great amount of jet activity at such a large distance from the Sun . In the above false-color image , no less than seven jets can be seen emanating from Hale-Bopp 's coma . As a comet nears the Sun , it's surface warms causing jets of previously trapped gas and dust to stream away from the nucleus. Astronomers continue to study Comet Hale-Bopp 's unusual jet activity and wonder how much about the early Solar System Hale-Bopp will teach them, and how bright Hale-Bopp will ultimately become .
Media Credits & Attribution
Seven Jets from Comet Hale-Bopp Credit: N. Thomas (MPAE) et al., 1.5-m La Silla Telescope, ESO