The Comet that Takes Centuries

Comets are celestial bodies composed mainly of ice and rock that orbit the Sun.

Among these, the most famous is probably Halley's Comet.

But did you know that it has one of the longest orbits observable from Earth? Named after the astronomer Edmond Halley, it was through meticulous observation that Halley determined this comet's path and correctly predicted its return in 1758, albeit posthumously.

The interesting fact is that Halley's Comet has an orbital period of approximately 76 years, meaning it only graces our skies about once in a lifetime.

The last time it passed Earth was in 1986, and it's scheduled to return in mid-2061.

What's even more intriguing is that its orbit is retrograde, which means it moves around the Sun in the opposite direction to the planets.

This ancient and fleeting visitor offers an exceptional spectacle and a poignant reminder of the vast time scales of our Universe..