3/5/2023 0 Comments Mr. prepper pill![]() ![]() When Halley was next slated to return, it was at the beginning of a new century in 1910, when advancements in media and technology had radically accelerated the circulation of people and ideas, and major breakthroughs were being made in the automobile and radio industries the world had seen the first airplanes and photographs – including the photographs of astronomical objects. Infographic from the January 1910 issue of Popular Science Monthly magazine, showing how Halley’s tail points away from the Sun as it passes through the inner Solar Systemīut people started to wonder – were there consequences of such seemingly close contact? One account of its 1835 passing describes a “vapour trail” in the sky, immortalised below in watercolour… An 1835 watercolour painting depicting observation of the apparition from that same year Fun fact: he might not have had his breakthrough, if he hadn’t consulted a friend and fellow scholar named Isaac Newton. Although, Halley’s never been just a random fly bye event by 1705, its orbital period of 75 or so years was confirmed by the English astronomer, Edmond Halley, bringing us both the comet’s eponymous name and a new tradition: once, maybe even twice in a lifetime, the comet’s 24-million-mile long tail would become visible to the naked eye. It’s hard for us science laypeople to fathom the workings of space, let alone its errant pebbles. ![]() One cult considered sacrificing a virgin. Stores started selling “anti-comet pills.” Papers put out ads for escape submarine rentals. Not only did it lead to the first ever photograph of a comet, and the actual gathering of “spectroscopic ” data, but because the anticipation of its arrival caused a media frenzy. ![]() Out of all the (ultimately) anti-climactic close comet calls, the 1910 approach of Halley’s Comet takes the cake. Ah, to have planned for a comet apocalypse in the Belle Epoque! Looks like a wild time, according to all the 19th and 20th century postcards with folks soaring through the skies, bum over noggin, towards a starry death. ![]()
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