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18th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet

Halley's Comet is the only known short-period comet that is consistently visible to the naked eye from Earth, appearing every 72–80 years, though with the majority of recorded apparitions (25 of 30)...

Halley's Comet is the only known short-period comet that is consistently visible to the naked eye from Earth, appearing every 72–80 years, though with the majority of recorded apparitions (25 of 30) occurring after 75–77 years. It last appeared in the inner parts of the Solar System in 1986 and will next appear in mid-2061. Officially designated 1P/Halley, it is also commonly called Comet Halley, or sometimes simply Halley. Halley's periodic returns to the inner Solar System have been observed and recorded by astronomers around the world since at least 240 BC, but it was not until 1705 that the English astronomer Edmond Halley understood that these appearances were re-appearances of the same comet.

Historical Significance

Halley's Comet is the only known short-period comet that is consistently visible to the naked eye from Earth, appearing every 72–80 years, though with the majority of recorded apparitions (25 of 30) occurring after 75–77 years.

Events Before

  1. Papal bull "In nomine Domini" (In the Name of the Lord) issued by Pope Nicholas II establishing popes elected by Bishops

    Papal bull "In nomine Domini" (In the Name of the Lord) issued by Pope Nicholas II establishing popes elected by Bishops and Cardinals not appointed by their predecessor

  2. Béla I is crowned King of Hungary in Székesfehérvár

    Béla I the Boxer or the Wisent (Hungarian: I. Bajnok or Bölény Béla, Slovak: Belo I.; c. 1015 – 11 September 1063) was King of Hungary from 1060 until his death.

  3. The body of the first bishop of Tournai, Saint Eleutherius of Tournai, is translated (moved)

    The body of the first bishop of Tournai, Saint Eleutherius of Tournai, is translated (moved)

  4. A new church devoted to St Peter the Apostle is founded and consecrated by Edward the Confessor in London, later called

    A new church devoted to St Peter the Apostle is founded and consecrated by Edward the Confessor in London, later called Westminster Abbey. It is rebuilt in the Gothic style during the mid-13th century. [1]

  5. Pilgrims under Bishop Gunther of Bamberg reach Jerusalem

    Gunther (1025/1030 – 23 July 1065) was a German nobleman and prelate of the Holy Roman Empire.

Events After

  1. Baldwin VI becomes Count of Flanders

    Baldwin VI becomes Count of Flanders

  2. Roquefort cheese created in a cave near Roquefort, France

    Roquefort cheese created in a cave near Roquefort, France

  3. Arnulf III the Hapless becomes Earl of Flanders

    Arnulf III the Hapless becomes Earl of Flanders

  4. Battle of Cassel; Robert I the Frisian defeats Arnulf III/I

    Robert I (1035 – 13 October 1093), known as Robert the Frisian, was count of Flanders from 1071 until his death in 1093.

  5. Bari falls to Robert Guiscard's Norman forces, ending Byzantine rule in Italy

    Bari falls to Robert Guiscard's Norman forces, ending Byzantine rule in Italy

More from the 1060s

Battle of Stamford Bridge: English army under King Harold II defeats invading Norwegians led by King Harald Hardrada and

Battle of Stamford Bridge: English army under King Harold II defeats invading Norwegians led by King Harald Hardrada and Harold's brother Tostig, who are both killed

William the Conqueror's troops set sail from Normandy to invade England

William the Conqueror (1028 – 9 September 1087), sometimes called William the Bastard, was the first Norman king of England (as William I), reigning from 1066 until his death.

William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, lands at Pevensey Bay in Sussex, beginning the Norman Conquest of England

William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, lands at Pevensey Bay in Sussex, beginning the Norman Conquest of England

Battle of Hastings: William, Duke of Normandy and his Norman army defeat the English forces of Harold II, who is killed

Battle of Hastings: William, Duke of Normandy and his Norman army defeat the English forces of Harold II, who is killed in the battle

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on March 23, 1066?
Halley's Comet is the only known short-period comet that is consistently visible to the naked eye from Earth, appearing every 72–80 years, though with the majority of recorded apparitions (25 of 30) occurring after 75–77 years. It last appeared in the inner parts of the Solar System in 1986 and will next appear in mid-2061. Officially designated 1P/Halley, it is also commonly called Comet Halley, or sometimes simply Halley.
Why is 18th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet significant?
Halley's Comet is the only known short-period comet that is consistently visible to the naked eye from Earth, appearing every 72–80 years, though with the majority of recorded apparitions (25 of 30) occurring after 75–77 years.

Explore More

March 23 in HistoryYear 1066