Finally, as of Friday, December 8, we can say with certainty that Halley’s Comet is approaching Earth. The comet had been on a long journey into distant space since February 9, 1986, when it reached the perihelion point, where it is closest to the Sun. And from that time until today, the comet has continued to move inexorably away from the Sun and therefore from us. However, this situation was reversed shortly thereafter.Halley’s Comet is on its way to Earth
Last night, Halley’s Comet reached aphelion, that is, the very edge of its orbit, and is now on its way back. When a celestial body reaches the farthest point of its orbit, its speed decreases to its lowest level. Halley is currently traveling at 3,272 kilometers per hour. Halley was traveling at 195,609 km per hour at perihelion, that is, when it was closest to the Sun.
After December 8, the comet will approach the Sun and therefore the Earth for the first time in approximately 38 years. Halley’s Comet, which will increase its speed over time, will primarily visit the outer planets of the Solar system. Halley’s Comet will reach Earth on June 19, 2061.
- Neptune: May 7, 2041
- Uranus: May 1, 2053
- Saturn: December 7, 2058
- Jupiter: June 25, 2060
- Mars: May 16, 2061
- Earth: June 19, 2061
- Venus: July 9, 2061
It will be 10 times brighter in 2061
As it moves towards the Sun, Halley’s Comet, which will be visible in the morning sky in late spring and early summer and will be clearly visible in the Northern Hemisphere, will appear 10 times brighter than when it was last visible in 1986. Because this time the comet will be on the same side of the Sun as us, in full view. This famous celestial object can be easily observed in the sky from mid-June to late August.
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