Halley’s Comet

Remember Halley’s Comet? Mankind didn’t really get a good view of it when it swung by our corner of the world in the 1980s, and it’s been heading farther and farther away from us ever since.

That changes tomorrow. On December 9, 2023, the comet will reach its furthest point from the sun, then turn around and head back towards us for another pass-by.

Unfortunately, it’s got a long trip and won’t be back in our neighborhood until 2061. I don’t know if I’ll be around to see it, but I’ve got it on my Google Calendar just in case.

Before 1986, the comet’s most recent visit was in 1910, a year in which an unexpected, brighter comet (The Great January Comet of 1910) arrived several months before Halley. Anti-comet pills flooded the market, offering protection from the poisonous gasses some thought the comet might leave in its wake.

I was disappointed to learn that the Great January Comet would not be returning to Earth for another 9,000 years. I definitely won’t be around for its next visit, and am not even going to try to add it to Google Calendar.