After perihelion After its perihelion passage, the comet moved into the southern celestial hemisphere. The comet was much less impressive to southern hemisphere observers than it had been in the northern hemisphere, but southerners could see the comet gradually fade from view during the second half of 1997. The last naked-eye observations were reported in December 1997, which meant that the comet had remained visible without aid for 569 days, or about months. The previous record had been set by the Great Comet of 1811, which was visible to the naked eye for about 9 months.
After perihelion After its perihelion passage, the comet moved into the southern celestial hemisphere. The comet was much less impressive to southern hemisphere observers than it had been in the northern hemisphere, but southerners could see the comet gradually fade from view during the second half of 1997 The last naked-eye observations were reported in December 1997, which meant that the comet had remained visible without aid for 569 days, or about months The previous record had been set by the Great Comet of 1811, which was visible to the naked eye for about 9 months.