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Halley’s Comet Returns in 2061

 Perhaps many of us are old enough to remember the arrival of Halley’s Comet in 1986. This famous comet makes its way to earth only once every seventy-six years. On December 8, 2023, at 8:00pm Eastern Time, Halley’s comet reached its aphelion, the far end of its orbit. At this point, Halley’s Comet was 3.27 billion miles from the sun. At this point, it began its thirty-eight-year journey back toward the sun.

Halley Comet will be passing by earth beginning on June 19, 2061. At first, H
alley’s Comet will be visible during the morning hours. As August begins, however, Halley’s Comet will be visible exclusively at night. On August 1, 2061, the full moon will distract from seeing the comet. However, by the fourth of August, Halley Comet will be in full view.

Seeing the beauty of Halley’s Comet is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Today, we are still thirty-seven years away from seeing this comet pass by. Some questions I want to raise for the purpose of this article are these, “How can we pinpoint the exact time Halley’s Comet will be visible in our evening sky?” and “How did we know on December 8, 2023, that the famous comet was at its aphelion?”

We know all this information with great confidence because the universe has been timed with mathematical precision. We not only know the date of Halley’s arrival, but also the best time of day which the comet can be seen. We also know that Halley’s Comet in 2061 will be 10 times brighter than it was in 1986.

So, how do we know this information? Note what the apostle Paul said, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:20-21)

Billions of years of trial and error could never form such a relationship between beauty and precision. But our Almighty Creator has brought this odd couple together and formed a wonderous relationship between them. Their relationship has been manifested before our eyes in Halley’s Comet and many other vivid examples. The perfect marriage of beauty and precision cries out to us that our God is Alive!

Remember the words of David, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalms 19:1)

For additional information concerning Halley’s Comet, check out the website: https://www.space.com/halleys-comet-return 

God Bless each of you,

Eric Hicks


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