Halley’s Comet is the most famous of all comets, visible from Earth about every 76 years. Last seen in 1986, it won’t return until 2061. Every time it swings by the Sun, it loses a bit of mass, shedding material that forms meteor showers like the Eta Aquariids and Orionids when Earth passes through its debris. Eventually, Halley will either evaporate completely or be ejected from the solar system—so enjoy it while it lasts!

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