On This Day – 9th February 1986

Halley’s Comet scientifically known as 1P/Halley, last appeared in the inner Solar System. This short-period comet is only visible from our planet after every 74–79 years. The comet is named after English astronomer Edmond Halley, who was the first person examine and identify the fact that this same comet returned over and over again in 1531, 1607 and 1682. He also predicted that the comet would return in 1758, but sadly Halley didn’t live to see the comet’s return.