Tom Bopp (Hale-Bopp: The Grand Finale), is an avid deep sky observer associated with the unofficial "North Phoenix Alternative Astronomical Society"--no meetings, no minutes, no secretary, no treasurer--just observing. It was at one of these sessions near Vekol Ranch on July 23, 1995, that Tom Bopp swept up Comet C/1995O1 and won his place in the history of comet discoverers.

Tom will tell the story of his enthusiasm for astronomy, how he discovered Comet Hale-Bopp, and all the excitement in his life--and in the astronomical community--since.