In 1910, the arrival of Halley’s Comet was heralded in the Ridgeway Journal as early as January 27. You could already see the comet on a clear night and as “This comet only appears about every seventy-six years so you had better watch the skies, for, in all probabilities, few of us will live to see it again.” The paper noted that astronomers told everyone that the comet would be at its brightest in May, so there was still time to see it. The article went on to add: It would be interesting to our readers to read its history, but it is too lenghty (sic) to publish in this issue of the Journal.”
On April 21, 1910, the Journal did publish a much longer article about Halley’s Comet with a great deal more detail about the most recent journey around the Earth at the time. The comet was expected to be at its closest to the Earth on May 18 when it would be the most visible in the evening sky. At the end of the article, readers were told “The thing to do is to hold tight, don't lose courage, and keep your eyes open. For you're likely to see things you can tell about to your grandchildren.”
The comet returned in 1986 and a new generation turned out to see it. My husband, Tracy, told me that he and the other members of the senior RHS class of 1986 went out to Tim Williams home to view the comet. They went out to a field far away from any lights to view the comet with their advisor Mr. Leeth. Tracy thought the whole experience was “very cool” and unforgettable.
