Jump to content
Snow?
Local
Radar
Cold?
IGNORED

Bicentenary Of The Great Comet Of 1811


Recommended Posts

Posted
  • Location: Irlam
  • Location: Irlam

Its 200 years ago since this wonderful comet graced our skies. It was first discovered by the French astronomer Honore Flaugergues in the spring of 1811 and went on until Hale-Bopp to be the comet that was longest witnessed with the naked eye. In some ways, it was similiar to Hale-Bopp in that both comets never came close to the sun and the angle of viewing made it such that it was seen in dark skies unlike sun-grazing comets where they are only visible at their best in the twilight skies.

The comet reached its peak in the October of 1811.

This year was also a great vintage for wine and it was believed that the comet was responsible for the superbness of the grape growing season. Wines produced when a comet is visible at the same time as a successful vineyard growing season, have become to be known as a comet vintage.

Unfortunately, it won't be until around 4900 AD that this comet will be back on view.

great_comets.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted
  • Location: South East UK
  • Weather Preferences: Thunderstorms/squalls/hoar-frost/mist
  • Location: South East UK

Hale Bopp was a fascinating surreal sight in 97, i feel lucky to have seen it, quite scarey to realise how vulnerable Earth is to meteor and comet impacts.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...