I would like to see Halley's comet through my telescope, where is it?

Question

I am 14. I never seen it before. I'd want to though.

Or was it already there in the past & did I miss it?

Answer 1

It was here in 1986, and is currently somewhere out past Jupiter. It's now too cold and small to see. Try again in 2062 when it's back this way.

Answer 2

I've seen 3 comets that were more spectacular than Halley's...  So, don't wait for Halley's to make it's appearance. There *will* be others.

It's orbit takes it beyond Neptune, but not beyond Pluto.  It's also somewhat outside the orbital plane of the planets, if I remember correctly.  It's been 22 years, so it's probably near the distance of Saturn's orbit or maybe not quite that far.  

Answer 3

Halley's comes around once ever 76.3 years so it won't be back until 2062. It could be worse, though. The Great Comet of 1864 won't be back for about 3 million years. (Pretty sure I won't be there for either of these.)  As to how far the comet goes...Halley's comet moves in a highly elliptical orbit. This orbit  ranges from a distance of over 35 AU (1AU = 1 Astronomical Unit = 149 598 000 kilometers) from the sun at aphelion (greatest distance from the sun) to just over one-half AU at perihelion (closest approach to the sun). The orbit goes beyond Neptune but not beyond Pluto, unless the orbit of Pluto is in it's short phase. Does this help?  

Answer 4

As others have told you, Halley's Comet is currently where it spends most of its time: in the far outer reaches of the solar system. Most comets are the same, visible for a few months when they pass close to the Sun, and then gone for decades or thousands of years. The good news is that there are always new comets coming into the inner solar system. In fact, in the past 18 months we've had two comets which ere far brighter than Halley's was in 1986: McNaught and Holmes. These too have now receded into the distance, but new comets are discovered all the time. Check out Sky & Telescope's web site for information on coming comet attractions.

Answer 5

Comet Halley is currently at a distance from the Sun similar to Neptune.  It has been imaged recently, but if you don't have an 8 meter telescope, you're pretty much out of luck.  I'll be over 100 when it comes back.  And the view we got in the 80's was awful.

Hale Bopp was better.  Comet Hyakutake was better.  Holmes, just last Fall and winter was better.  Swan, just a couple years ago, was better.  Take the opportunities as they come up.  There are comets right now that are visible in back yard telescopes.

Answer 6

Halley's Comet comes around every 75 or 76 years.  It was last in the inner Solar system in 1986,  and will not be there again until 2061.  It probably originates in the Oort Cloud,  which starts at about Pluto's orbit,  or 38 Astronomical units from the Sun,  and extends to about 50 AU.  ( An Astronomical Unit is about 93 million miles).  At the moment, you will not be able to see Halleys Comet in your telescope,  I am afraid,  but at your age,  you should get a good sighting on it's next visit.  You will only be in your 60's,  so watch out for it, and good luck.  Happy observing!

Answer 7

You'll have to wait until 2061, son.

It went past in 1986. It was great.

Answer 8

wow Micheal deserves the best answer ,I just learned about Halley's comet it's interesting.

Answer 9

It was in the neighborhood in 1986 and what is worse it was mostly visible from the Southern Hemisphere, which is not where I was at the time.  Not to worry I'll have another look at it in 2062 when I'll be 108 years old, assuming I can still see.