[net.space] Halley \"sign-over\"

fisher@dvinci.DEC (Burns Fisher, MRO3-1/E13, DTN 231-4108.) (10/16/85)

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>In todays San Diego Union (Oct. 17) is a picture of Ryan and Shasta Halley.
>Big deal?. Their ancestor discovered the famous comet and now their great-
>grandfather 'plans to sign over the famed comet to the children---just as
>his father did to him in 1910.'
> 
>What the hell does that mean?

I saw something about this several months ago.  Of course it is nothing legal.
It is simply a family tradition.  At each apparition of the comet, the
oldest member of the family turns over "care" of the comet to the youngest
member.  If all goes well, that youngest member will be around at the next
apparition as the oldest member to sign it over again.  I think it is a really
neat custom!  Can't you imagine at some future apparation, the oldest member
of the family breaking with tradition and signing it over to a moderate-age
family member who will go out and "service" the comet in person?

Burns


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