A Cosmic Display: The Top 20 Comets in History

Comets have fascinated people for centuries with their bright tails and awe-inspiring beauty. From ancient times to present day, comets have played an important role in human history and imagination.

Comet Swift-Tuttle

Discovered by two American astronomers in 1862, Comet Swift-Tuttle is the largest object known to regularly pass by Earth. Since 1862, it has completed just one orbit around the sun and is expected to return in 2126.

Halley’s Comet

Perhaps the most famous of all comets, Halley’s Comet appears about every 75 years. Its latest appearance in 1986 was a major astronomical event, as scientists were able to gather important data from the comet’s tail and nucleus.

Comet Shoemaker-Levy

In 1994, Comet Shoemaker-Levy collided with Jupiter, creating a spectacular cosmic display. The impact left scars on Jupiter which were visible even through small telescopes.

Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Discovered in 1969 by two Soviet astronomers, Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko made headlines in 2014 when a spacecraft landed on its surface. The data and images gathered from this mission provided valuable insight into the formation of our solar system.

Comet Lovejoy

Comet Lovejoy put on a stunning display in 2011, with a tail that stretched for millions of miles. It was even visible with the naked eye for a short period of time.

Comet Hale-Bopp

In 1997, Comet Hale-Bopp captured the hearts and imaginations of people around the world with its visible tail for weeks on end. It was one of the brightest comets to appear in modern times.

Comet Hyakutake

Comet Hyakutake made its closest approach to Earth in 1996, providing a spectacular view for skywatchers. Its bright tail could be seen even from urban areas with high light pollution.

Comet West

Discovered in 1975 by a team of Dutch astronomers, Comet West put on a stunning display that same year. Its tail was visible for weeks on end and it could be seen from both hemispheres.

Comet Donati

Discovered in 1858 by an Italian astronomer, Comet Donati became a major attraction for skywatchers in 1858 and 1859. Its bright tail stretched for an astonishing 50 million miles.

Comet Ikeya-Seki

Discovered in 1965 by two Japanese astronomers, Comet Ikeya-Seki was visible in the sky for several months in 1965 and 1966. Its brightness made it even more visible than the moon.

Comet Bennett

Comet Bennett put on a stunning display in 1970, with a tail that stretched for over 40 million miles. It was visible with the naked eye and was a major attraction for skywatchers around the world.

Comet Encke

Comet Encke is one of the most frequently observed comets in history, with a relatively short period of just over three years. It was first discovered in 1786 and is still studied by astronomers today.

Comet Pons-Winnecke

Discovered in 1819, Comet Pons-Winnecke has an orbital period of over 6 years. It is visible from Earth through a small telescope and is studied by astronomers for its unique properties.

Comet Bradfield

Comet Bradfield was discovered in 2004 and put on a beautiful display for skywatchers that same year. Its tail stretched for over 5 million miles and it was visible through small telescopes.

Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON)

Discovered in 2012, Comet C/2012 S1 (ISON) was once touted as the comet of the century. However, its close approach to the sun led to its disintegration, disappointing many skywatchers around the world.

Comet Tempel-Tuttle

Comet Tempel-Tuttle is known for being the source of the Leonid meteor shower. It was also visited by a spacecraft in 1986, providing valuable data for scientists.

Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

Discovered in 1969 by the same Soviet astronomers who discovered its namesake, Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko was visited by a spacecraft in 2014. The information gathered by the spacecraft has shed new light on the formation of our solar system.

Comet Wolf-Harrington

Comet Wolf-Harrington made its closest approach to Earth in 1910, creating a stunning display for skywatchers at the time. Some even believed that the comet was a sign of the end of the world.

Comet Schumacher-Levi 2

Discovered in 2014, Comet Schumacher-Levi 2 was named after the comet that collided with Jupiter in 1994. However, this comet poses no threat to our planet and only creates a beautiful display in the night sky.