Peter Cole recently posted that Haley’s Comet had reached aphelion and was beginning its return to the inner solar system. This reminded me of one of my earliest astronomy memories.

I was standing outside in our backyard in suburban New Jersey on a cold, wintry night when I was 8 years old looking for Halley’s Comet. With the help of my Mom, we pointed the small, refractor telescope that I had gotten that Christmas around the sky until we had found the comet.

I obviously always had an early interest in astronomy, but at that time, I had no idea where that would lead or where I would be at now. But I really appreciate my Mom standing outside in the backyard while we looked for Halley’s Comet on that cold night.

I hope I will have another chance to observe it again in 2061.