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Jan 1, 1449
First Attempt
Astronomers make one of the first known efforts to record the paths of comets across the night sky. -
Period: Jan 1, 1449 to
History of Comet
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Halley's Comet
Edmond Halley determines that the comets of 1531, 1607 and 1682 are the same comet and predicts its return in 1758. The comet arrives on schedule and is later named Halley's Comet. -
Converging With Halley's Comet
An international fleet of five spacecraft converges on comet Halley as it makes its regular (about every 76 years) pass through the inner solar system. -
Comet Collides With Jupiter
In the first observed planetary impact by a comet, awed scientists watch as fragments of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 smash into Jupiter's atmosphere. -
NASA Stardust
NASA's Stardust spacecraft collects dust samples from comet Wild 2 and images the nucleus. -
The Deep Impact
The Deep Impact impactor collides with comet Tempel 1 to reveal the interior of the nucleus. -
Returning Sample
The Stardust sample return capsule lands in Utah carrying cometary particles and interstellar dust. -
Announcement of Sample
Scientists announce that the amino acid glycine, a building block of life, was collected by the Stardust spacecraft from comet Wild 2.