I almost forgot how amazing Comet Hyakutake was...one of the closest and brightest fly-bys of the 20th century. I feel blessed to have witnessed this one with my own eyes. The 'Great Comet of 1996' was discovered with binoculars less than 2 months before it whizzed by the Earth (0.1 AU). Its coma appeared to be 4 full moons in diameter and its tail stretched across half the northern night sky.

and looky what I found...an archive of more than 1000 pics of The Great Comet:

[link to www2.jpl.nasa.gov]

I hope all you young-uns get to see a comet this spectacular....maybe ISON or perhaps one yet-to-be-discovered will fill the bill.