Don’t blame the astronomers for the fact that Halley’s Comet was a fizzle in 1986. The comet has passed much closer to Earth in the past (it put on a spectacular display in 1910) so there was reason for excitement. Fortunately we had Hale Bopp in 1997.
Oliver is too young to remember Comet Kohoutek. That one was billed for two years as the “Comet of the Century” but was a bigger dud that Halley. Oh well, it will be back in 75,000 years. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comet_Kohoutek
Husband and I took a vacation trip to Grand Cayman in part because it was the furthest point south we could afford to travel – comet viewing in mind. Twice we drove to a remote, dark beach at like 4 AM for best viewing. Yeah, a little disappointing, considering I’d been waiting for this event since I was four years old. But the Caymans were great.
I totally agree about Halley’s return. I literally waited my entire life to see this comet after reading about it and hearing my grandfather tell me stories about how amazing it was. Probably one of the biggest disappointments in my life. I couldn’t even blame clouds for it! Every other cool astronomical event gets clouded over for me, most probably including the total lunar eclipse scheduled for tomorrow night. The forecast is cloudy in my area. Again! Arrrgh!!!
Sorry to rant but I really am an astronomy buff who constantly gets disappointed.
RobinHood over 2 years ago
I remember being disappointed in Halleys Comet at the time.
Imagine over 2 years ago
Turn around. Or don’t. The truth is always there where we are not looking.
angelolady Premium Member over 2 years ago
My favorite alien appearance is with the sign that says Mars Needs Women.
hariseldon59 over 2 years ago
Don’t blame the astronomers for the fact that Halley’s Comet was a fizzle in 1986. The comet has passed much closer to Earth in the past (it put on a spectacular display in 1910) so there was reason for excitement. Fortunately we had Hale Bopp in 1997.
erik.vanthienen over 2 years ago
What? Waiting for a primordial black hole to eat our sun? Or dark matter to hit you on the nose?
Wren Fahel over 2 years ago
Hale-Bopp was cool.
PaulAbbott2 over 2 years ago
Oliver is too young to remember Comet Kohoutek. That one was billed for two years as the “Comet of the Century” but was a bigger dud that Halley. Oh well, it will be back in 75,000 years. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comet_Kohoutek
mindjob over 2 years ago
We took a charter flight up to see it, but it was still hard to see.
Zuria Premium Member over 2 years ago
Husband and I took a vacation trip to Grand Cayman in part because it was the furthest point south we could afford to travel – comet viewing in mind. Twice we drove to a remote, dark beach at like 4 AM for best viewing. Yeah, a little disappointing, considering I’d been waiting for this event since I was four years old. But the Caymans were great.
Eric S over 2 years ago
living in Oregon, I never DID get to see Halley’s Comet. :(
Ka`ōnōhi`ula`okahōkūmiomio`ehiku Premium Member over 2 years ago
Seeing a real awesome comet is on my bucket list.
Those comets best make haste!
Laurie Stoker Premium Member over 2 years ago
I totally agree about Halley’s return. I literally waited my entire life to see this comet after reading about it and hearing my grandfather tell me stories about how amazing it was. Probably one of the biggest disappointments in my life. I couldn’t even blame clouds for it! Every other cool astronomical event gets clouded over for me, most probably including the total lunar eclipse scheduled for tomorrow night. The forecast is cloudy in my area. Again! Arrrgh!!!
Sorry to rant but I really am an astronomy buff who constantly gets disappointed.
Kevin Parker Premium Member over 2 years ago
I’d been looking forward to seeing Halley’s Comet since I first got interested in astronomy as a kid in the sixties. Boy, was I disappointed.
Sisyphos over 2 years ago
Oliver knows what he believes, and has an excellent suggested use for the Sagan wazoo. But the Zortian insists on Presley to-do!