Comet Halley produces annual Orionid and Eta Aquariid meteor showers
Debris left behind by Comet Halley creates two separate meteor showers every year as Earth passes through the orbital stream of the famous comet.
FTMQ Space, written by our newsroom0 views
Comet Halley is the parent body for two annual meteor showers, spawning the Orionids in October and the Eta Aquariids in May, EarthSky reported. [1]
Every time the comet swings into the inner solar system, solar heat causes it to release ice, dust, and gas. EarthSky reported that the comet sheds a fresh debris trail into its orbital stream during each pass, losing roughly one thousandth of its mass during its previous flyby in 1986. [1]
Officially designated 1P/Halley, it is the only known short-period comet that remains consistently visible to the naked eye from Earth, Wikipedia notes. EarthSky and Wikipedia both report that the comet returns to the inner solar system approximately every 76 years, with Wikipedia specifying a range of 74 to 79 years. [1][3]
According to EarthSky and Wikipedia, the comet last visited the inner solar system in 1986 and will return again in mid-2061. The Duluth News Tribune reported that observers can rise early on October 22 to view meteors from Comet Halley. [1][2][3]
In short
- Comet Halley produces the Eta Aquariid meteor shower in May and the Orionid meteor shower in October.
- The comet lost about one thousandth of its mass during its 1986 pass.
- Comet Halley orbits the solar system every 74 to 79 years.
- The comet will return to the inner solar system in 2061.
Sources
Every paragraph above points to the numbered items it rests on. Read the originals here.
- [1]Comet Halley is parent of 2 meteor showersEarthSky, 14h ago (the report this story comes from)
- [2]Astro Bob: Rise early on Oct. 22 to see meteors from Halley's CometDuluth News Tribune, 1d ago
Background
- [3]Halley's Comet on Wikipedia
Our newsroom writes these reports with the help of software, from the 3 sources listed and nothing else, and checks them against those sources. Facts can still be wrong or move on; the originals are the record. Spotted a mistake? Write to daniel@monsterkong.com.
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