March 24, 1997
Web posted at: 2:00 p.m. EST (1900 GMT)
NEW YORK (CNN) -- A spectacular lunar eclipse helped improved the view of comet Hale-Bopp.
Some viewers used the occasion for a "star party" in New York's Central Park, others were happy just to gaze up into the night sky through their telescopes.
The moon started entering the darkest part of Earth's shadow at 10 p.m. EST Sunday. And by 11:39 p.m. the maximum eclipse could be observed. The shadow covered as much as 92 percent of the surface of the moon.
That fascinating event was visible throughout North America and Western Europe, and could also be observed early Monday in parts of Africa and the Middle East.
The more the moon darkened, the better the view became of comet Hale-Bopp, which continues to dance through the solar system.
The comet can easily be spotted with the naked eye, as Hale-Bopp makes its first visit to our solar system in 4,000 years.
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