dipper@utastro.UUCP (Debbie Byrd) (03/04/85)
Scientists from many countries are studying Comet Halley. More on comet watching -- after this. March 4 The International Halley Watch Scientific interest in the returning Comet Halley crosses all international boundaries. The Soviet Union, Japan and the European Space Agency are sending a total of five space craft to pass near Comet Halley in March of 1986. Other spacecraft in the solar system are studying Halley at a distance. For example, a Pioneer spacecraft -- now in orbit around the planet Venus -- will turn its instruments in Halley's direction when the comet is near perihelion -- its closest point to the sun. Earth-based observers are using a variety of methods to learn about Comet Halley -- including infrared telescopes carried aboard airborne observatories -- and large and small optical telescopes all over the globe. The International Halley Watch was established to help correlate this vast assortment of scientific data. Over 875 professional astronomers in 47 countries have expressed interest in working with the Halley Watch -- and coordinating comet-watching activities. Amateur astronomers are also participating -- reporting visual and photographic observations of Halley. The International Halley Watch plans to put together an archive -- a collection of all the scientific data amassed on Halley. This return of Comet Halley will be the best documented passage yet of ANY comet near the sun. In the past, people have imagined connections between Halley's return and earthly events -- usually disasters. It's interesting to note that this time Halley's appearance is promoting scientific co-operation among people all over the world. Script by Diana Hadley. (c) Copyright 1984, 1985 McDonald Observatory, University of Texas at Austin