Amateur astronomers setting up telescopes and support equipment in a field in the USA, February 1986, in order to view the passage of Halley's Comet. Halley's Comet (or Comet Halley, officially designated 1P/Halley) is a short-lived comet visible from earth every 75–76 years. Halley's 1986 apparition was the least favourable on record and so the people in this photograph may not have got to see very much at all that month. Halley will next appear in 2061 to 2062.
Amateur astronomers setting up telescopes and support equipment in a field in the USA, February 1986, in order to view the passage of Halley's Comet. Halley's Comet (or Comet Halley, officially designated 1P/Halley) is a short-lived comet visible from earth every 75–76 years. Halley is the only known short-period comet that can be viewed with the naked eye. Halley's 1986 apparition was the least favourable on record and so the people in this photograph may not have got to see very much at all that month. The comet and earth were on opposite sides of the sun, creating the worst viewing circumstances for observers for the last 2,000 years. With light pollution from towns and cities, many people failed to even see Halley. It was possible to observe it in rural areas with the help of binoculars. It appeared brightest in the southern hemisphere in March and April that year. Halley will next appear in 2061 to 2062. This image is from an old American amateur Kodak colour transparency. It will look slightly soft if used at too large a size – a vintage 1980s photograph.
Size: 3071px × 2046px
Location: USA
Photo credit: © M&N / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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