paul@uiucuxc.UUCP (01/14/85)
Not precisely true. Halley's comet will be badly positioned this time
around as perihelion (closest approach to the sun) will be on the
opposite side of the sun from the earth. The earth's tilt puts the
sun higher in the southern sky during N.A. winter, out of the haze on
the horizon. Halley's orbit is inclined relative to the ecliptic and
will be better positioned for southern observers. Additionally the
southern countries aren't as infested with sodium and mercury lamps
(read light pollution) as the US is. In 1910 it was still possible to
see the nighttime sky in most US cities. Today one must travel several
miles out into the country to see the same thing.
I think the disappointment with Comet Kohoutek will be vastly exceeded
by Halley's Comet this time around.
Paul Pomes
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