On March 22, 1997, a super bright comet by the name of Hale-Bopp made its closest approach to Earth. More space history 👉 https://trib.al/sCaqMuS It was bright enough for people to see without telescopes or binoculars for over 18 months. Comet Hale-Bopp still holds the record for being visible to the naked eye for longer than any other comet, and it was probably the most-viewed comet in history. It passed by Earth at a safe distance of about 120 million miles before continuing its orbit around

In March 1997, one of the most bizarre mass deaths in U.S. history took place in Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego. 39 members of the Heaven's Gate cult were found dead inside a mansion, all dressed identically in black robes, Nike Decade sneakers, and covered with purple shrouds. They believed the Earth was about to be "recycled" and that salvation would arrive aboard a spaceship following the Hale-Bopp comet. To “exit their human vehicles,” they ingested a lethal mixture of phenobarbital, vodka, and