Halley’s Comet: Quick Facts

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Oct. 27, 2026

News •

Halley's Comet dazzles from afar in spectacular astrophoto of Orionid meteor shower • Oct. 23, 2026, 2:00 PM ET (Space)

See one of the most iconic meteor showers at its peak this week • Oct. 20, 2026, 5:00 PM ET (Scientific American)

Photos

Halley's Comet, 1910

Comet Halley nucleus

Comet Halley photographed on March 8 and 9, 1986, by the one-metre Schmidt telescope of the European Southern Observatory at La Silla, Chile.

Comet Halley, photographed on March 9, 1986, by the 1-metre (40-inch) Schmidt telescope of the European Southern Observatory at La Silla, Chile.

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Nicolaus Copernicus. Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543) Polish astronomer. In 1543 he published, forward proof of a Heliocentric (sun centered) universe. Coloured stipple engraving published London 1802. De revolutionibus orbium coelestium libri vi.

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