Happy 8th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet Day!

cee134
cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
edited November 2024 in Chit-Chat
On April 20, 295 AD the 8th perihelion passage of Halley's Comet was recorded.

cwo50z4luozx.gif


The orbital path of Halley, against the orbits of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
Halley's orbital period has varied between 74–79 years since 240 BC.

Its orbit around the Sun is highly elliptical, with an orbital eccentricity of 0.967 (with 0 being a circle and 1 being a parabolic trajectory).

The perihelion, the point in the comet's orbit when it is nearest the Sun, is just 0.6 AU. This is between the orbits of Mercury and Venus.

Its aphelion, or farthest distance from the Sun, is 35 AU (roughly the distance of Pluto).

Replies

  • Vikka_V
    Vikka_V Posts: 9,563 Member
    295 AD the 8th perihelion
    huh??
    splain!!
  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    Vikka_V wrote: »
    295 AD the 8th perihelion
    huh??
    splain!!

    A perihelion is the point in the orbit of a planet, asteroid, or comet at which it is closest to the sun.

    So today is the official day that Halley's Comet made it's 8th recorded trip by earth back in 295 AD. Halley's returns to the inner Solar System have been observed and recorded by astronomers since at least 240 BC. It will next appear in mid-2061.
  • rowlandsw
    rowlandsw Posts: 1,166 Member
    I remember it coming past in the 80s, we actually manage to see it thanks to having so few houses around back then.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    8th recorded trip since 295 AD?
  • km8907
    km8907 Posts: 3,861 Member
    edited April 2018
    I can see mfp isn't 4/20/18 friendly.
  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,528 Member
    km8907 wrote: »
    I can see mfp isn't 4/20/18 friendly.

    Hey, we are celebrating comets here!

    kspob4lap0wk.jpg


  • km8907
    km8907 Posts: 3,861 Member
    4legsRbetterthan2 wrote: »
    km8907 wrote: »
    I can see mfp isn't 4/20/18 friendly.

    Hey, we are celebrating comets here!

    kspob4lap0wk.jpg


    Sure.
  • caco_ethes
    caco_ethes Posts: 11,962 Member
    Let’s celebrate this momentous occasion with brownies!
  • km8907
    km8907 Posts: 3,861 Member
    ^She gets it.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • LittleLionHeart1
    LittleLionHeart1 Posts: 3,655 Member
    edited April 2018
    .
  • LittleLionHeart1
    LittleLionHeart1 Posts: 3,655 Member
    edited April 2018
    .
  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    cee134 wrote: »
    On April 20, 295 AD the 8th perihelion passage of Halley's Comet was recorded.

    cwo50z4luozx.gif


    The orbital path of Halley, against the orbits of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
    Halley's orbital period has varied between 74–79 years since 240 BC.

    Its orbit around the Sun is highly elliptical, with an orbital eccentricity of 0.967 (with 0 being a circle and 1 being a parabolic trajectory).

    The perihelion, the point in the comet's orbit when it is nearest the Sun, is just 0.6 AU. This is between the orbits of Mercury and Venus.

    Its aphelion, or farthest distance from the Sun, is 35 AU (roughly the distance of Pluto).

    The 8th perihelion passage of Halley's Comet being recorded is hugh! One of my favorite anniversaries.
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