Today’s lunchtime deep dive into the files… . Comet Hyakutake during closest approach to Earth as viewed from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, March of 1996. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls) . Comet Hyakutake (formally designated C/1996 B2) is a comet, discovered on 31 January 1996, that passed very close to Earth in March of that year. It was dubbed The Great Comet of 1996; its passage near the Earth was one of the closest cometary approaches of the previous 200 years. Hyakutake appeared very bright in the night sky and was widely seen around the world. The comet temporarily upstaged the much anticipated Comet Hale–Bopp, which was approaching the inner Solar System at the time. . . . . @nasa #billingalls #comet #Hyakutake #Virginia @shenandoahnps @nationalparkservice #film #cometHyakutake #nps (at Shenandoah National Park)