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.
Best view of Halley's Comet in 2,000 years
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)...
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
Pope Gregory IV decrees All Saints Day a holy day of obligation for the Catholic religion
Pope Gregory IV decrees All Saints Day a holy day of obligation for the Catholic religion
Chinese Emperor Wenzong conspires with chancellor Li Xun and general Zheng Zhu to kill all the eunuchs, but the plot is
Chinese Emperor Wenzong conspires with chancellor Li Xun and general Zheng Zhu to kill all the eunuchs, but the plot is foiled. Also known as the Sweet Dew Incident
Pactum Sicardi is signed, a peace agreement between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples
Pactum Sicardi is signed, a peace agreement between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples
Events After
Battle at Fontenay: Louis & Charles beat their brother Lotharius I
Battle at Fontenay: Louis & Charles beat their brother Lotharius I
Charles II and Louis the German sign the Oaths of Strasbourg, a pact uniting their armies in the fight against their old
Charles II and Louis the German sign the Oaths of Strasbourg, a pact uniting their armies in the fight against their older brother Lothar
Medieval Iconoclastic Controversy ends as a council in Constantinople formally reinstates the veneration of icons in chu
Medieval Iconoclastic Controversy ends as a council in Constantinople formally reinstates the veneration of icons in churches
Icon veneration officially re-instated in Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople
Icon veneration officially re-instated in Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople
Vikings sail up the Loire with 67 ships and destroy Frankish-held city of Nantes
Vikings sail up the Loire with 67 ships and destroy Frankish-held city of Nantes
More from the 830s
15th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet
15th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet
Comet 1P/837 F1 (Halley) approaches within 0.0334 AU of Earth
Comet 1P/837 F1 (Halley) approaches within 0.0334 AU of Earth
Pactum Sicardi is signed, a peace agreement between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples
Pactum Sicardi is signed, a peace agreement between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples
Pope Gregory IV decrees All Saints Day a holy day of obligation for the Catholic religion
Pope Gregory IV decrees All Saints Day a holy day of obligation for the Catholic religion
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on April 13, 837?
- 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 Best view of Halley's Comet in 2,000 years 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.