Halley’s Comet Quiz

March 12, 2008 | By Vincent Augustine D'Souza In Science |

1) Who in 1705 predicted that the comet seen in 1531, 1607 and 1682 would return in 1758?
a) Nicholas Copernicus
b) Edmund Halley
c) James Pettengill
d) Clyde Tombaugh

2) What is the average period of orbit of Halley’s Comet?
a) 22 years
b) 18 years
c) 76 years
d) 100 years

3) When was the most famous appearance of Halley’s Comet?
a) 1066 – Battle of Hastings
b) 1815 – Battle of Waterloo
c) 732 – Battle of Tours
d) 800 – Coronation of Charlemagne

4) When was Halley’s Comet last seen?
a) 1914
b) 1939
c) 1945
d) 1986

5) Which spacecraft obtained close-up photos of nucleus of Halley’s Comet?
a) Pioneer 4
b) Mariner 8
c) Giotto
d) Mariner 10

6) When is Halley’s Comet next scheduled to return?
a) 2014
b) 2086
c) 2062
d) 2056

7) Since when Halley’s Comet is regularly observed?
a) 44 B.C.
b) 100 B.C.
c) 160 B.C.
d) 240 B.C.

8) How did the Chinese refer to Halley’s Comet as per their first written reports?
a) Morning Star
b) Evening Star
c) Broom Star
d) Pole Star

9) Edmund Halley did not see Halley’s Comet in 1758. Why?
a) He forgot.
b) Dark clouds blocked Halley’s Comet.
c) He died in 1742.
d) Seeing comet would have damaged eyes.

10) What is the size of the nucleus of Halley’s Comet?
a) 16 x 8 x 8 km
b) 1 x 1 x 1 km
c) 2 x 4 x 8 km
d) 8 x 4 x 4 km