While the astronomical community eagerly awaits the peak of Comet Hale-Bopp, the tabloids probably stalk the astronomical byways like vultures awaiting any tidbit that just might make the headlines. Not surprisingly, such a tidbit has arisen that will no doubt warm the hearts of those would be reporters. Be forewarned, seeing is not necessarily believing!

       It all started when Chuck Shramek, an amateur astronomer, took some pictures of Hale-Bopp last November using his telescope and some special film. When he developed the film, he saw an odd object that looked a bit like Saturn near the comet. He could not find any object like it on the astronomy software he was using, and so, somehow, he concluded it was a new planet. Furthermore, rather than follow the accepted procedure for reporting new discoveries, he announced his find on a national radio talk show. (One can just imagine those tabloid writer begin to salivate!)

      It took professionals only a few days to determine that the Saturn like object was, in fact, an 8th magnitude star whose image was distorted in the photo. A battle ensued. Shramek insisted that he was right, along with a few supporters. Everyone else argued to the contrary.

      Currently, Shramek still maintains the authenticity of his image. But this was only one symptom in the "Hale-Bopp fever" that has taken over much of  the human population. There have been reports on the Internet that the comet has "changed course and may be headed for Earth." Also, reports have surfaced (perhaps inspired by the hit movie Independence Day) that the comet is really a UFO spacecraft headed for Earth, or that an alien spacecraft is following the comet.

      So who bears responsibility for all this consternation that took valuable time from professional astronomers and other scientists? For starters, the talk show host, Art Bell, showed no responsibility in verifying this report. But then, Bell is an avid believer of crop circles, UFO's and ghosts!

      Secondly, there was Shramek himself. As it turns out, the star in question was included on his software, however he had the configurations wrong. He also did not confirm his observations with any other sources.

     There is  an accepted procedure in the astronomical community. Discoveries can be confirmed with observatories, but more importantly there is the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams. Sounds a bit odd, but it works, Brian Marsdan of Harvard take charge of this all important resource. When someone thinks they have discovered a comet, planet or other astronomical object, he or she can telegram or, more commonly, email the Bureau, where their find is validated. If the find is authentic, as in the case of Hale-Bopp, objects such as a comet are named after the discoverer(s). Astronomers should verify findings with the Bureau before announcing them to the world.

     The Hale-Bopp hoax still goes on, and probably will continue until the comet has come and gone. Other "sightings" have been reported and the Internet is replete with misinformation. The astronomers who have come forward to debunk the hoax have been accused (in true X files fashion) of "covering up the truth." The sad part is that a lot of people are unwilling to accept the truth, the "other story" is more interesting to them.

     There are several lessons to be learned from this spoof. First, it serves to remind us of the potential for misinformation to hit the Internet. Secondly, it graphically illustrates what can happen when apparent authority is blindly accepted. No matter the lessons, the tabloids will prey on those who will believe anything! But if you want the truth, try Hale-Bopp's home page at http://www.halebopp.com/ Imagine the disappointment when those who expect an alien invasion will find nothing more than an icy snowball beautifying our night time skies!