The orbit diagrams show the planes of the Earth's orbit (the ecliptic) and the comet's orbit. It is easy to see how the comet moves relative to the earth and how we get to see it in the night sky.

Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp)

This comet was discovered in 1995 and it will come to perihelion in April 1997. When it was discovered it was well south of the ecliptic and well beyond Jupiter's orbit. Just before the come reaches perihelion it is well above the ecliptic and will be well seen from the northern hemisphere.

The orbit of C/1995 O1

Comet C/1996 B2 (Hyakutake)

This comet was discovered when it was well below the ecliptic. It made a close approach to the earth in late 1996 March shortly after its northbound ecliptic crossing at the ascending node. It then went on to perihelion in early May and crossed the ecliptic going south shortly afterwards.

The orbit of C/1996 B2

Comet C/1996 Q1 (Tabur)

This comet was discovered by Vello Tabur on 1996 August 19 when it was well below the ecliptic. It is in a highly inclined orbit and it crosses the ecliptic moving north in the last week of 1996 September. It reaches perihelion well above the ecliptic on November 3.

The orbit of C/1996 Q1

Comet Tempel-Tuttle

This comet is responsible for the Leonid meteor shower and it is easy to see why from this diagram. The descending node of the comet's orbit passes very close to the earth's orbit at the point where the earth is on November 16 each year. The debris left in the wake of the comet is the cause of the Leonid meteors we see every year near to that date. The period of the comet is roughly 33 years and it is on its way back to the Sun. Enhanced Leonid activity should be expected for the next few years.

The orbit of Tempel-Tuttle