dipper@utastro.UUCP (Debbie Byrd) (03/10/86)
Comet Halley cuts down through the plane of Earth's orbit today. More on Halley -- after this. March 10 New Moon and Comet Halley The moon is new today -- between the Earth and the sun. After today, the moon will return to the evening sky. That's good news for Comet Halley watchers. The comet is now up in the morning -- so the next two weeks are the best time for those in the northern hemisphere to look for Comet Halley. Halley rises above the southeastern horizon in the hours before sunrise. You'll need dark skies and a clear horizon to see it -- and as usual binoculars will help. Today Halley cuts down through the plane of Earth's orbit around the sun. Halley doesn't orbit the sun in the same plane as the Earth. Instead, its orbit is inclined to ours by about l8 degrees. During most of its 76 year journey around the sun, the comet travels south of the plane of Earth's orbit. For just a few months around the comet's closest point to the sun, Halley travels above the plane. Last November -- as it traveled inwards, towards the sun -- Halley crossed the plane of Earth's orbit, heading north as we judge earthly north and south. Today -- as Halley leaves the sun behind -- it crosses the plane heading south. For the next 76 years Halley will journey south of the Earth's orbital plane. This week look for Halley in the morning sky. Get up a couple of hours before sunrise -- and go to a dark location. Look towards the southeastern horizon to see Halley. Its long tail stretches away from its fuzzy head -- a fragile vision of light in the morning sky -- best seen with binoculars. Script by Diana Hadley and Deborah Byrd. (c) Copyright 1985, 1986 McDonald Observatory, University of Texas at Austin