Remembering Comet Halley: 30 Years Later

May 2016  :  Francine Jackson

Can you believe that Halley’s Comet was in our sky 30 years ago?  A note in a recent magazine reminds us that in the mid ‘80s we were looking at the most famous of our periodic comets, the only major one not named for its discoverer, but instead for the person who determined that it indeed did return to us.  Later research noted that it had been documented since 240 B.C.

Edmund Halley was not the first to question whether comets came to us more than once, but he was fortunate to observe a comet in 1682 that coincidentally formed a path around the Sun similar to one in 1607; another had been seen in 1531 that also moved similar to those two.  His conclusion was that they were the same traveler, and would return again in 1758.  Halley tried his best to live long enough to see it again, but unfortunately died in 1742 at 85. 

There are stories that could fill this newsletter about the history of this comet, but perhaps we could take a few minutes and look back on our own observations.  Personally, its first introduction to the Earth in 1985 was as a very tiny blob in the early evening sky; however, its return in the morning in February, 1986 showed itself at its best.  Unfortunately, it was beautiful in February.  In the middle of the night.   Low to the horizon.  Best views were at places of really good horizons.  For us, it was Scarborough Beach.  In February.  In the middle of the night.  The only thing missing was snow.  But, what a sight!  Halley’s seemed to hug the horizon, so low it made a slight reflection in the water.  And, because it was on its way back outward, it was moving tail-first. 

A family that we met came from Connecticut.  They had a beach house in Narragansett, and had come in the middle of winter just to get their best views of Halley’s Comet.  The beach was actually crowded with people eager to get their best look of the comet that was so historic, that had come near the Earth so many times.  And, how different the Earth was each time. 

Perhaps those who saw Halley’s Comet could take a few minutes and write a few word for the next newsletter.  What did you think as you watched this periodic visitor pass across the sky?  How old were you at the time?  Did it change your attitude toward the sky – perhaps this was what gave you your love of astronomy?  Hopefully, some of you will send a note to Jim for the June edition of the Skyscraper.  All of us would love to hear your memories of such a historic part of our celestial neighborhood.