Comet 1P/Halley

Comet Halley is definitely the most famous of all comets. Although it has a rather long period of revolution (about 76 years), it has probably been observed since the year 468 B.C. (or -467) when the first record by Chinese observers was dated (there are also Greek records which are related to this Halley apparition, and more dubious records of possible apparitions in 1059-8 B.C. from China, and 2467 B.C.). It was observed and recorded at all of its last 30 apparitions (perihelia) from 241 B.C. to 1986 A.D.; its next return will occur in 2061.

While in more ancient times, the comet was merely observed for histographical, religious, astrological and perhaps even more esoteric reasons, all its apparitions since 1531 have contributed to scientific advance:

We can only speculate what will be done on the comet's next return in 2061.

Comet Halley just has passed its aphelion quietly on December 9, 2023, and is closing in again, for its 2061 apparition.

The comet is looked forward to reappear in 2061, and pass its perihelion on July 28, 2061. It is expected to recede again, for its next aphelion passage on November 21, 2097, and then close in again to pass the next perihelion on February 26, 2134 (according to JPL ephemerides).

Links:

Comet Halley Images: Amateur images of Comet Halley: Miscellania related to Halley: Observed and Future Apparitions of Comet 1P/Halley
  Year  No  Comet Designations

-239 1 1P/-239 K1 -163 2 1P/-163 U1 -86 3 1P/ -86 Q1 -11 4 1P/ -11 Q1 66 5 1P/ 66 B1 141 6 1P/ 141 F1 218 7 1P/ 218 H1 295 8 1P/ 295 J1 374 9 1P/ 374 E1 451 10 1P/ 451 L1 530 11 1P/ 530 Q1 607 12 1P/ 607 H1 684 13 1P/ 684 R1 760 14 1P/ 760 K1 837 15 1P/ 837 F1 912 16 1P/ 912 J1 989 17 1P/ 989 N1 1066 18 1P/1066 G1 1145 19 1P/1145 G1 1222 20 1P/1222 R1 1301 21 1P/1301 R1 1378 22 1P/1378 S1 1456 23 1P/1456 K1 1531 24 1P/1531 P1 1607 25 1P/1607 S1 1682 26 1P/1682 Q1 1759 27 1P/1758 Y1 1759 I 1835 28 1P/1835 P1 1835 III 1910 29 1P/1909 R1 1910 II 1909c 1986 30 1P/1982 U1 1986 III 1982i 2061 31 2134 32


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