Halley's Comet — Reading Comprehension

Halley's Comet is one of the most famous comets in our solar system. A comet is a small object made of ice, dust, and rocks. When a comet gets close to the Sun, it heats up and forms a bright glowing tail. This tail always points away from the Sun because of the solar wind, which is a stream of particles from the Sun.

Halley's Comet is special because it can be seen from Earth with just your eyes, and it keeps coming back on a regular schedule. Its orbit around the Sun takes about 76 years. This means people have a chance to see it once or twice in their lives! The last time Halley's Comet visited Earth was in 1986. It will return again in 2061.

The first person to understand that Halley's Comet kept returning was the astronomer Edmond Halley. In 1705, he used math and old records to show that comets seen in 1531, 1607, and 1682 were actually the same comet. After Edmond Halley died, the comet was named after him because of his important discovery.

Comets like Halley's help scientists learn about the early solar system. They are made of ancient materials from when the solar system was formed. By studying comets, scientists can learn what space was like billions of years ago. Some scientists think comets may have brought water and organic molecules to Earth, which could have helped life begin.

Interesting Fact: In 1066, Halley's Comet was seen in the sky before the Battle of Hastings, and it was even shown in an old piece of art called the Bayeux Tapestry!

What is Halley's Comet made of?

How often does Halley's Comet return?

Who was Halley's Comet named after?

Why does a comet have a tail?

What helps scientists learn about space's past?

Why does the comet's tail point away from the Sun?

Halley's Comet will return in 2061.

What is an astronomer?