Latest news with #Halley'sComet
Daily Record
14-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Record
Scientists find ice comet older than the Sun that may be visible from Earth this year
Possibly the oldest comet ever seen has been discovered by scientists who believe the ancient rock may predate the Sun. First spotted last week, comet 3I/ATLAS is only the third known object from beyond our solar system, and it is the first ever to travel to us from a completely different region of the Milky Way. And what's more, it may be visible from Earth later this year. The object, which is thought to be rich in ice, was first spotted on July 1, by the ATLAS survey telescope in Chile, when it was about 670 million km from the Sun. Oxford University astronomer Matthew Hopkins presented the exciting findings at the Royal Astronomical Society's National Astronomy Meeting in Durham last week. His team discovered the comet by complete surprise, just before the astronomer was due to go on holiday. But instead of the 'quiet Wednesday' he had planned, him and his fellow researchers found what may be the oldest space object ever discovered. "All non-interstellar comets such as Halley's comet formed with our solar system, so are up to 4.5 billion years old," Hopkins said. Halley's Comet is a famous periodic comet that orbits the Sun and is visible from Earth approximately every 75-76 years. It was last seen in 1986 and is predicted to return in mid-2061, and is named after its discoverer Edmond Halley. While Halley's comet is as old as our solar system, Hopkins believes 3I/ATLAS may be almost twice as ancient at seven billion years old. The astronomer continued: "Interstellar visitors have the potential to be far older, and of those known about so far our statistical method suggests that 3I/ATLAS is very likely to be the oldest comet we have ever seen." Two objects from elsewhere in the cosmos have been discovered previously, but 3I/ATLAS is estimated to be far older and larger. It is travelling on a steep path through the galaxy, and based on its trajectory, scientists believe it came from an area of the Milky Way called the 'thick disk'. The thick disk, found in many spiral galaxies such as the Milky Way, is a population of ancient stars which orbit either above or below the thin plane where the Sun and most other stars live. This recently discovered comet is estimated to be rich in water ice due to the fact it was formed around an old, thick-disk star. As the space object nears the Sun it will heat up, triggering vapour and dust that will give it a glowing tail as it shoots through space. Experts say that the ice comet may be visible through a standard telescope later this year, or in early 2026, so keen amateur astronomers should keep an eye out. "This is an object from a part of the galaxy we've never seen up close before," said Professor Chris Lintott, co-author of the study and presenter of the BBC's The Sky at Night. "We think there's a two-thirds chance this comet is older than the solar system, and that it's been drifting through interstellar space ever since." The team's findings come from applying a model developed during Hopkins' doctoral research, which simulates the properties of interstellar objects based on their orbits and likely stellar origins. This research model, dubbed the Ōtautahi-Oxford Model, marks the first real-time application of predictive modelling to an interstellar comet.
India.com
24-06-2025
- Science
- India.com
India's First Record Of Halley's Comet Found In 1456 Copper Plate, A Discovery That's Rewriting History!
What if a mysterious comet lighting up the skies centuries ago was not only seen but documented, in metal? In an extraordinary revelation, a 15th-century copper plate inscription discovered at the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, has unveiled India's first known epigraphic reference to Halley's Comet. Dated June 28, 1456 CE, this ancient document from the Vijayanagara Empire is changing how we understand India's engagement with astronomy. A Cosmic Phenomenon Recorded in Time Etched into the durable copper plate is a legal land grant issued by Vijayanagara king Mallikarjuna, addressed to a Vedic scholar. Amid the royal decrees and religious declarations, historians noticed something stunning: a mention of a brilliant celestial object visible in the sky. Astronomers quickly matched this to Halley's Comet, which made a dramatic appearance in the summer of 1456, documented across Europe and Asia. Its timing aligned perfectly with the inscription's Indian calendar date of śaka 1378, dhātr̥ āṣāḍha ba. 11, which converts to the exact day Halley's Comet dazzled the skies. More Than Just Myth: From Vedas to Verified Science Ancient Indian scriptures like the Ṛigveda, Atharvaveda, and Bṛhat Saṃhitā have metaphorically referenced comets, often seen as harbingers or omens. However, this inscription marks the first direct and date-specific mention of an actual cometary event, verified by modern astronomical data. Written in classical Telugu and Sanskrit, the document represents a blend of science, religion, and governance, where even the sky was recorded in the legal chronicles of the empire. Why This Discovery Matters This is not just a historical curiosity. It proves that medieval Indian scholars were observing and noting celestial events with startling accuracy. The fact that such an observation made its way into a royal land grant hints at the comet's perceived importance, possibly symbolic, possibly superstitious, but undeniably scientific. Moreover, this copper plate showcases the scientific sophistication of the Vijayanagara era, which not only had a strong cultural and political legacy but also possessed a surprisingly refined grasp of astronomical phenomena. A Testament to Ancient India's Skywatchers The copper plate does more than document a grant, it offers a window into a time when astronomy and governance coexisted. The knowledge that this wasn't just a passing visual but something chronicled in official inscriptions points to a systematic tradition of astronomical record-keeping that historians are only now beginning to appreciate. This discovery is a reminder of India's rich scientific heritage and how the observational brilliance of its ancient scholars could match, and sometimes exceed, that of their global counterparts. Rewriting the Sky's Footnotes The "Pharaoh's Curse" may have given us potential cancer cures, but India's 15th-century sky watchers have given us something equally profound, a comet's trail through time, etched in copper and confirmed by modern science. As we continue to explore the cosmos with telescopes and satellites, it's humbling to realise that centuries ago, scholars without such tools were still watching, recording, and wondering, just like us. This single inscription doesn't just add to India's history; it connects the stars across centuries, reminding us that curiosity about the universe is the most ancient legacy of all.
News18
21-06-2025
- Science
- News18
600-Year-Old Inscription Found In Andhra Temple Refers To Sighting Of Halley's Comet
Last Updated: The discovery comes from a 15th-century Vijayanagara copper plate inscription, dated June 28, 1456 CE A remarkable archaeological discovery at the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Srisailam, present-day Andhra Pradesh, has seemingly revealed India's earliest known epigraphic mention of Halley's Comet. This discovery comes from a 15th-century Vijayanagara copper plate inscription, dated June 28, 1456 CE. The copper plate inscription records a land grant by Vijayanagara king Mallikarjuna to a Vedic scholar, says a report in The New Indian Express. What makes this inscription exceptional is its detailed reference to a bright celestial object visible at the time, which historians and astronomers have identified as Halley's Comet. Astronomical data confirms that Halley's Comet was spectacularly visible during the summer of 1456, marking one of its historically significant apparitions observed in Europe and Asia. The inscription's date corresponds to Śaka 1378, dhātr̥ āṣāḍha ba. 11 in the Indian calendar, which translates to Monday, June 28, 1456 CE, matching the comet's known appearance. While ancient Indian texts like the Rigveda, Atharvaveda, and Brihat Samhita contained metaphorical references to comets, none offered a specific date for an actual astronomical event. This Srisailam inscription is the earliest concrete epigraphic reference to Halley's Comet in India, providing evidence of its observation and the cultural importance ascribed to it during the Vijayanagara period. Written in classical Telugu with parts in Sanskrit, the inscription follows the traditional copper plate grant format of the time. Including the astronomical event alongside details of the land grant indicates that such celestial phenomena were significant enough to be recorded in legal, religious, and administrative documents. The inscription notes that the land grant was made to Vedic scholar and astronomer Limgaṇarya to counteract the perceived negative effects of the comet's appearance and an associated meteor shower, reflecting the ruler's concern for his kingdom's well-being. Halley's Comet, last seen in 1986, is expected to return in 2061. First Published: June 22, 2025, 04:12 IST
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
10 Eerie predictions from history that shockingly came true
Predictions have fascinated humanity for centuries, whether they came from prophets, scientists, or writers. While most forecasts miss the mark or fade into obscurity, a rare few have turned out to be incredibly accurate. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These striking insights offered glimpses into the future that seemed almost too precise to believe. Some were rooted in deep observation, while others appeared to be the result of sheer intuition. From world wars and space travel to the internet and organ transplants, these predictions came true in ways that continue to amaze us today. Here are ten historical forecasts that remarkably became reality. From Wi-Fi to World War, predictions that came true across the world 1. The Cold War- Alexis de Tocqueville (1840) French political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville predicted the rise of two dominant global powers during his travels in the United States. In Democracy in America, he wrote that Russia and America would one day "hold the destinies of half the world in their hands." This seemed unlikely in the 19th century, but Tocqueville's foresight was remarkable. His prediction came true during the Cold War era in the 20th century, when the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as superpowers locked in a tense global rivalry that shaped world politics for decades. 2. His own death- Mark Twain (1909) Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, was born shortly after Halley's Comet passed in 1835. In 1909, Twain made a striking prediction about his own death. He famously said, 'I came in with Halley's Comet… it is coming again, and I expect to go out with it.' This eerie prediction proved accurate when Twain died on April 21, 1910—just one day after the comet's return. His statement is often cited as one of the most personal and accurate prophecies ever made by a public figure. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 3. Wireless communication- Nikola Tesla (Early 1900s) Nikola Tesla was far ahead of his time in predicting the future of communication technology. In 1909, he envisioned a world where wireless messages could be transmitted easily and widely, so simple that anyone could own and operate their own device. Tesla also described a 'global brain' connected by wireless networks, anticipating the modern internet. His remarkable foresight paved the way for mobile phones, Wi-Fi, and other wireless technologies that have become essential to everyday life, transforming the way people communicate, access information, and interact worldwide. 4. World War II- Ferdinand Foch (1919) French general Ferdinand Foch expressed deep concerns over the Treaty of Versailles, signed after World War I. He believed the treaty was far too lenient on Germany and warned that it was not a true peace but merely an armistice that would last twenty years. His fears were tragically realized in 1939 when Germany invaded Poland, triggering World War II. Foch's statement showed his sharp understanding of the political realities and tensions that would soon escalate into another devastating global conflict just two decades after the end of the first. 5. Photo and colour technology- John Elfreth Watkins (1900) In 1900, engineer John Elfreth Watkins published an article titled What May Happen in the Next Hundred Years. He made several striking predictions, including the ability to 'telegraph photographs from any distance,' foreseeing real-time image sharing and live broadcasts. Watkins also anticipated the development of full-color photography at a time when black-and-white photos were the norm. His vision accurately forecasted technological advances that have since revolutionized media, communication, and entertainment, shaping how people capture and share moments in vibrant color and instant detail. 6. Organ transplants- Robert Boyle (Mid-17th Century) Robert Boyle, a founder of modern chemistry, imagined future medical breakthroughs long before they were possible. Among his scientific hopes was the 'cure of diseases by transplantation,' despite having no scientific basis or technology to achieve this at the time. Nearly three centuries later, Boyle's vision became reality when the first successful human kidney transplant was performed in 1954. His foresight reflects the spirit of scientific progress—anticipating life-saving treatments that continue to evolve and transform modern medicine today. 7. The Moon landing- Jules Verne (1865) Jules Verne's science fiction novel From the Earth to the Moon described a manned mission to the moon launched from Florida. The story included a capsule called the 'Columbiad,' carrying three astronauts who splashed down in the ocean upon return. Verne's imaginative details were astonishingly accurate. Exactly 100 years later, NASA's Apollo 11 mission launched from Florida with a spacecraft called 'Columbia,' a crew of three astronauts, and a splashdown recovery in the ocean. His visionary writing remains a remarkable example of fiction predicting reality. 8. The Titanic disaster- Morgan Robertson (1898) In his novella Futility, or the Wreck of the Titan, Morgan Robertson eerily described the sinking of an 'unsinkable' giant ship named Titan, which struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic. The story included details such as a lack of enough lifeboats, resulting in massive loss of life. Fourteen years after the novella's publication, the real Titanic met almost the exact same fate in 1912. The parallels between Robertson's fictional ship and the Titanic's disaster continue to fascinate and shock readers and historians alike. 9. Satellite communications- Arthur C. Clarke (1945) In 1945, science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke proposed using geostationary satellites to enable global communications. At the time, this idea was purely theoretical. Clarke's vision became the blueprint for modern satellite technology, which today supports GPS navigation, television broadcasts, and worldwide internet connectivity. The orbit Clarke described is now known as the 'Clarke Orbit,' and his prediction helped shape the way people around the world communicate and access information from space-based systems. 10. Smartphones and AI assistants- Ray Kurzweil (Early 1990s) Inventor and futurist Ray Kurzweil foresaw a future where people would carry portable devices connected to a global network, offering real-time information and voice interaction. In the early 1990s, Kurzweil predicted the rise of smartphones and AI-powered digital assistants like Siri and Alexa. Today, these technologies are a part of everyday life, transforming communication, productivity, and personal convenience. His predictions highlight how artificial intelligence and mobile computing continue to reshape society in profound ways.
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Win a copy of Happy Is The One by Katie Allen in this week's Fabulous book competition
ROBIN knows the date he's going to die – born on the day Halley's Comet last appeared, he's destined to check out when it returns. He's methodically planned his life around this, but that all changes when he has to go home to care for his ailing dad. Warm and tender, this will really make you think. 10 lucky Fabulous readers will win a copy of this new novel in this week's book competition. To win a copy, enter using the form below by 11:59pm on June 7, 2025. For full terms and conditions, click here.
