Halley’s Comet begins its return journey to Earth
Return of Halley It officially launched on December 8, 2023., when the comet’s orbit reached its farthest point from the Sun, from where its course returned to the center of the Solar System. It is assumed that before passing by our planet, Halley will be seen by neighboring worlds, such as, for example, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn and Jupiter. When it reaches our latitudes in space, this symbolic comet, pulled by the sun’s gravity, will accelerate its pace and reach a speed of more than 250,000 km/h. And this will be when he approaches the Sun, the heat of this star will “illuminate” the comet and will release the characteristic gases and particles that make up its symbolic tail.
This is still several decades away, but just in case, write down the date June 28, 2061. It is then, according to astronomers, that Halley will shine brightest and will be visible to earthlings. There are even those who believe that in this case his step may be up to ten times brighter than in its appearance in the eighties. Everything indicates that the comet will be visible from almost anywhere in the world. peace for almost two months. If you’re lucky, even from cities with light pollution like in Barcelona or Madrid (though, of course, to enjoy all its splendor, it is recommended to step away from the city lights and seek clearer skies).
Once every 75 years
Halley’s crossing is an event in itself. Especially considering that this comet’visits Earth every 75 years. Consequently, as countless chronicles throughout the centuries tell, the very fact of seeing it is considered one of those experiences that, hopefully, you only live once in your life. The last time Halley visited our planet was back in 1986. Four years ago, scientists already began to observe its passage from Saturn. Approaching the Earth humanity has launched five space missions carefully analyze this celestial body. The European probe Giotto came closest to this comet and, after conducting the most detailed study to date, concluded that Halley has in the shape of a giant “space potato”..
Analysis confirms that Halley is shaped like a “cosmic potato” and is more than 15 kilometers long.
It turns out that this the comet is about 15 kilometers long And about eight wide and, like all its brothers, consists of dust, stones, ice and various gases. The interaction of these compounds with heat and solar radiation is the cause characteristic tail of a cometwhich can reach extend over several million kilometers in space and emit a characteristic glow that we associate with the passage of a stellar object. Therefore, even if Halley passes billions of kilometers from our planet, its brightness will continue to stand out against the backdrop of the vastness of the Universe.