(NEXSTAR) — Halley’s Comet is a name that many know, and for good reason. However, catching a glimpse of it might just happen once in a lifetime.
This comet, commonly known as Halley’s Comet, is believed to have been traversing our night sky for over 2,000 years, as noted by NASA.
A comet is generally made up of ice, dust, and gas, all orbiting the sun. NASA suggests that there could be billions of comets in our solar system, potentially originating from the Kuiper Belt or the Oort Cloud.
The Kuiper Belt is located beyond Neptune’s orbit and includes the well-known dwarf planet Pluto. In contrast, the Oort Cloud lies much farther out, hundreds of billions of miles from our outermost planet, as explained by the European Space Agency.
While most comets are categorized as regular, which allows us to predict their appearances, some are more erratic, showing up unexpectedly.
In ancient times, people were often puzzled by the sight of comets in the sky, sometimes feeling uneasy about them. But British astronomer Edmund Halley helped change that perception. By observing patterns in comets from the early 1700s, he postulated that they might actually be the same comet showing up over time.
He made a prediction that these comets would be visible again in 1758, and he was right. His insight led to the comet being the first known periodic comet named after him.
Halley’s Comet measures about 9 miles in length and about 5 miles wide, making it one of the less reflective and therefore fainter objects in our solar system. It’s expected to lose a significant amount of material during its next pass around the sun, a journey that takes about 76 years.
NASA explains that, as Halley ages, it may darken and may eventually lose its icy core. At that point, it could just become a mass of rock or even vanish into dust.
Interestingly, Halley is currently shedding debris. This can be witnessed during the Orionid meteor shower, which runs until November 7. Earth moves through the debris left by Halley’s Comet during its orbit, with peak activity likely occurring around October 21.
Fortunately, scientists note that Halley’s Comet “shows no obvious signs of aging in its recorded appearance.” Yet, it will be quite a while until you can see it again. The last sighting from Earth occurred in 1986, and it won’t be back until 2061, expected to be visible around mid-June and lingering until August.
This year could be particularly thrilling for skywatchers, as NASA mentions a total solar eclipse is set to occur on April 20, 2061, visible from North America, similar to the eclipse we experienced last year.
