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[[Image:Yerkeshalley2.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Illustration of how Halley's Comet might have looked to a naked-eye observer standing on the grounds of Yerkes Observatory in 1910. Moon at left, Halley's at right. Although appearance suggests motion, comets do not swoop through the sky; position changes slowly over many hours.]]
[[Image:Yerkeshalley2.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Illustration of how Halley's Comet might have looked to a naked-eye observer standing on the grounds of Yerkes Observatory in 1910. Moon at left, Halley's at right. Although appearance suggests motion, comets do not swoop through the sky; position changes slowly over many hours.]]
The period of 76 years gives Halley's comet an intriguing "once-in-a-lifetime" quality. [[Mark Twain]] was born in 1835, when Halley's Comet was visible, and said "I came in with Halley's Comet and I expect to go out with it." He in fact died in 1910, on Halley's next appearance.
The period of 76 years gives Halley's comet an intriguing "once-in-a-lifetime" quality. [[Mark Twain]] was born in 1835, when Halley's Comet was visible, and said "I came in with Halley's Comet and I expect to go out with it." He in fact died in 1910, on Halley's next appearance.
Comets remain unpredictable. Timing and geometry, which affect where and how well a comet can be seen. The visible "comet" is mostly a cloud of water vapor, consisting of ice in the comet that is vaporized by the heat of the sun. How much ice is vaporized can vary greatly from one appearance to the next. Halley's comet, visible in daytime on some appearances, was terribly disappointing in its 1986 visit.
Halley's comet made an appearance in 12 BC. It is one of many candidates to have been the historical correlate of the Star of Bethlehem, described sketchily in Matthew 2:2, 2:7, 2:9 2:10 (and not mentioned in the other Gospels). The date does not fit well, but the idea is appealing. Matthew himself could have seen Halley's comet in its 66 AD appearance. Giotto depicts the star of Bethlehem as a comet in his 1305 fresco, ''The Nativity.'' The 1962 Christmas carol "Do You Hear What I Hear"<ref>Gloria Shayne, music; Noel Regney, lyrics</ref> describes "A star, a star/Dancing in the night/With a tail as big as a kite."
Halley's comet made an appearance in 12 BC. It is one of many candidates to have been the historical correlate of the Star of Bethlehem, described sketchily in Matthew 2:2, 2:7, 2:9 2:10 (and not mentioned in the other Gospels). The date does not fit well, but the idea is appealing. Matthew himself could have seen Halley's comet in its 66 AD appearance. Giotto depicts the star of Bethlehem as a comet in his 1305 fresco, ''The Nativity.'' The 1962 Christmas carol "Do You Hear What I Hear"<ref>Gloria Shayne, music; Noel Regney, lyrics</ref> describes "A star, a star/Dancing in the night/With a tail as big as a kite."
==Notes and references==
==Notes and references==
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