Halley’s CometFacts

A Picture of Halley's Comet
  • Common Name: Halley’s Comet
  • Offical Designation: 1P/Halley
  • Orbital Period: About 75 years
  • Last Close Earth Visit: 1986
  • Next Close Earth Visit: 2061
  • Discovered: 1705 (first determination)
  • Discovered by: Edmond Halley

15 Halley’s Comet Facts for Kids

  1. Halley’s Comet is a short-period comet in our Solar System.
  2. The official designated name for Halley’s Comet is 1P/Halley.
  3. Halley’s Comet was discovered by Edmond Halley in 1758.
  4. Edmond Halley predicted that Halley’s Comet was in fact a comet, however there is evidence that exists that it was observed by ancient astronomers.
  5. Halley’s Comet passes by Earth every 75 to 76 years, classifying it as a short-period comet.
  6. A human could see Halley’s Comet twice in their lifetime.
  7. The last time Halley’s Comet was nearest (perihelion) to Earth was on February 9th, 1986.
  8. The next time Halley’s Comet will be nearest to Earth is on July 28th, 2061.
  9. The first picture of Halley’s Comet was taken in 1910.
  10. Halley’s Comet was the first comet to be extensively studied by a spacecraft.
  11. The coma (tail) of Halley’s Comet can reach up to 62,000 miles in length.
  12. The estimated averaged diameter of Halley’s Comet is 7 miles.
  13. The estimated rotation period of Halley’s Comet is 2 days, 4 hours and between 43 and 48 minutes.
  14. The Orionid meteor shower, which occurs annually in October, is caused by fragments from Halley’s Comet.
  15. The Chinese chronicle Records of the Grand Historian contains the first historical record of Halley’s Comet in 240 BC.

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