Which comet is the only known short-period comet that is regularly visible to the naked eye from Earth?

Halley's Comet or Comet Halley, officially designated 1P/Halley, is a short-period comet visible from Earth every 75–76 years. Halley last appeared in the inner parts of the Solar System in 1986 and will next appear in mid-2061.

Halley's Comet is a great comet which is bright enough to be noticed by casual observers who are not looking for it, and become well known outside the astronomical community. Great comets are rare - on average, only one will appear in a decade.

Halley's returns to the inner Solar System have been observed and recorded by astronomers since at least 240 BC. Clear records of the comet's appearances were made by Chinese, Babylonian, and medieval European chroniclers, but, at those times, were not recognized as reappearances of the same object. The comet's periodicity was first determined in 1705 by English astronomer Edmond Halley, after whom it is now named.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

65 Comments

SeasonedAngel

Mark Twain was born the year of Halley's comet & said he'd die the next year it came & he did. ;-)

Steve Heady

Hale Bopp is not a short-period comet. It won't be back for another 2300 years. The answer is correct as stands.

billyboy915

Donna Bayar Repsher, You are mistaken. Although Hale-Bopp was visible to the naked eye, it is NOT A SHORT PERIOD COMET! A short period comet is one that may appear at least twice in a human's lifetime. Halley's returns approximately every 75-76 years. It appeared when Samuel Clemens was born and he died upon its return. The Hale-Bopp comet appeared in 1997 and will not return until 4385 ± 2.0 AD. Its orbit repeats approximately every 2388 years. It is definitely not a SHORT PERIOD COMET as the question specifies. Details matter. Please do a bit of research prior to protesting.

j collins

Unknown fact, the comet was named after Bill Halley and his comets. Ok, that was a lie. 😂

Rick Anderau

This answer is WRONG! Hale-Bopp was completely visible to the naked eye - I saw it! I believe Halley's is/was also!

Player

Halley's comet is a lifetime for humans. Mark Twain came in on one and left the world when it returned.

Irene Townsend

Good question, though don't know why people don't read it properly. Great answer/ information

Irene Townsend

Keith Hennessey, What about it??? I wasn't part of the answer, so doesn't come into it.

joycekingsmith

I hope the next time Halley's comet and the Hale Bop appears, it won't bring with it the Applegate cult or something like it.

joycekingsmith

Stop with the repetition. We got it the first time.

joycekingsmith

j collins, aww, that was cute. You gave me a giggle.

patrhea

j collins, 👍😁

patrhea

As I recall when viewing Halley's Comet in 1986 seems it was visible for a week or so. Hal-Bopp was as well. But guess that the question related to the orbital travel. Missed it!