Today:
On this date in 1910, Halley’s Comet came closest to Earth, the Earth having passed through the comet’s tail the day before, an event that spawned any number of reactions, from taking “Comet Pills” to ward off the noxious vapors, to predictions of the end of the world. The dangers were greatly exaggerated, with no measurable effects.
Thursday:
As twilight fades from 9:00 to 9:30 PM, can you make out the letter “W” formed by five medium-bright stars, low above the northern horizon? This forms part of the throne of Cassiopeia, the Queen. To her upper right, still low, you might see a house-shaped pattern – a box with a triangle on top. This is the Queen’s husband, King Cepheus.
Friday:
High in the southwest by 9:15 PM, Regulus, the brightest star in Leo, appears just above and to the left of the Moon. Regulus sits very close to the path of the Sun, the same general path that the Moon follows, so these two have a regularly scheduled meeting every 27 days and 8 hours.