Abstract: The comet will be observed by all available means: 1.Visual observations with binoculars and small telescopes in order to trace the change of the brightness with time and to register possible bursts. An attempt will be made to find a correlation between the comet activity and the solar activity. 2.Photographic observations using a Schmidt telescope, an astrocamera and conventional photo cameras (all performed by our group). 3.Observations in infrared waves for studying the dust component of the comet. 4. Spectral observations for determining the chemical composition of the comet's gas coma.

Full Text of Proposal

Comments by OPC

General Comments: Unfortunately, infrared instrumentation is not available for Astronomy On-Line, and spectroscopic instrumentation is doubtful at the moment. Some of the observations would be more suitable in the context of a longer term monitoring program, which the authors are encouraged to perform.

Visibility:Come Hale-Bopp is now at a small angular distance from the Sun, and observable only in the evening twilight.

Special Comments: It is suggested that the authors contact AG Himmelsbeobachtung am ASG, whose project (no. 16) has some points in common with what is proposed here.

Expected time consumption (including overhead): It is not clear what is required from the available instrumentation for Astronomy On-line. The time devoted to the observations will surely be limited by the short interval of visibility of the comet.

Proposed facility:Crni Vrh 20 cm Baker-Schmidt camera.