Amateur astronomer Thomas Bopp visited the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center on May 25,1997. As part of his visit, he gave a series of one hour talks about the comet Hale-Bopp and how he discovered it. Afterwards, he answered questions and signed autographs on photographs of comet Hale-Bopp as seen over Kennedy Space Center taken by astrophotographer John W. Sigh Jr. The photograph to the left shows Thomas Bopp (center) signing these photographs that were being sold at the visitors center while his father, Frank (left), and astrophotographer, John W. Sigh Jr. (standing), look on.

Thomas Bopp's father, Frank, has traveled with him on various speaking engagements (as well he should). You see, Frank is the reason Tom discovered the comet in the first place. On that fateful night in 1995 Tom's car was acting up and could not make the 90 miles to the viewing site. Tom, still wanting to stargaze with a group of friends, called his dad and asked if he could borrow his car (typical of son's throughout the world). His dad said yes and Tom went to the star party but again, not without incident. It seems that Frank's car was new and had headlights that came on automatically at night...with no manual override! By the time Tom arrived at the viewing site, it was dark and this meant the lights were on and he had no way of turning them off until he parked the car. Arriving at a star party with your lights on is a cardinal sin and as one person put it, "You can get shot for things like this." Thankfully, all Tom had to endure was some good natured ribbing and he went on to co-discover the comet.