Tycho and Comet

Hale-Bopp, the Great Comet of 1997 and one of the most spectacular comets of our time, shines above the moonlit Knutstorp Castle in the southernmost tip of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Sweden. The castle is known as the birthplace of Tycho Brahe, the famous Danish astronomer of 16th century. Tycho’s precise pre-telescopic long-term observations were a major step forward in our understanding of the universe. In 1577, precisely 420 years before the date of this image, Tycho observed the Great Comet of 1577. Based on observation using parallax method, Tycho concluded that comets are not atmospheric phenomenon that was believed for centuries. They are cosmic objects wandering in our solar system. © Fredrik and Klas Hylten-Cavallius