Observations carried out in the past few days to study the distribution of sodium atoms in Comet Hale-Bopp have led to the discovery of a new type of comet tail. Sodium atoms have previously been seen near the centers of other comets, but these observations reveal for the first time in Hale-Bopp a straight tail of sodium atoms 6 degrees long.

The Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes (ING) is showing the rest of the world pictures of the Hale-Bopp, through Internet, which are updated on a daily basis. These pictures are being taken mainly by the CoCam (Comet Camera), the wide field CCD imaging facility of the ING. By doing this, ING hopes nobody will miss the spectacle of the Hale-Bopp. It will also allow everyone to follow its evolutions during the days of its brightest visibility.