This image is the result of co-adding the two images Hale-Bopp #1 and 
Hale-Bopp #2 using the camera operating software. This operation 
increases the effective exposure and signal-to-noise ratio of the image 
resulting in a picture that is less grainy and has more visible detail. 

This image, like Hale-Bopp #3, has been logarithmically scaled, whereby 
the picture values are replaced with their corresponding logarithms.  
Log scaling tends to compress the brightness range of an image, allowing 
one to view both bright areas (such as the comet's head) and dim areas 
(such as the tail) at the same time. 

Both of the pictures used for this final image were taken on Tuesday 
morning, February 26th.  However, one was taken before the camera had 
fully cooled since sunrise was quickly appoaching and only limited time 
was available.  As a result, the final picture is noisier than normal 
and it contains streaks that cannot be completely removed by the 
processes of dark subtraction and log scaling.  

The zoomed image is the same image enlarged by a factor of 2.

Object: Comet Hale-Bopp
Telescope focal length: 500mm
Telescope aperture: 80mm
Camera: Santa Barbara Instruments ST-6
Exposure: 2s (two 1s exposures co-added)
Observer(s): Greg and Teddy Latta
Processed by: Ben Cushwa