AAO image reference MISC 20. « Previous || Next »
Image and text © 1986-2002, Anglo-Australian Observatory, Photograph by David Malin.
Despite the media hype, Comet Halley was a disappointment when it returned in 1985-86. This was not a surprise to astronomers, who knew at its last return in 1910 that the comet would not be well placed at its most recent appearance. On this occasion the comet entered the inner solar system far from Earth and after it rounded the Sun it reappeared in the southern sky. Not only was this very close to the horizon for many northern hemisphere skywatchers, the comet was seen against the bright backdrop of the Milky Way so was never conspicuous. This picture was made in April, 1986.
Related images
AAT 28. Wide angle view of the southern Milky Way
AAT 46. Halley's Comet on December 9, 1985
MISC 9. The southern Milky Way from Crux to Carina
MISC 10. The Milky Way in Scorpius, Ara and Norma
MISC 21. The Large and Small Magellanic Clouds
AAT 117. Halley's Comet, April 9-10, 1986 (AAT image)
UKS 19. The tails of Comet Halley on 12 March, 1986
UKS 34. Halley's Comet on April 9-10, 1986
UKS 33. Comet Hyukatake, March, 1996
B&W image Features in the dust tail of Comet Halley, 12 March, 1986
