Halley's comet 1986 photo

Halley's Comet, officially 1P/Halley, has begun its long journey back towards Earth after making it to aphelion – the point in its orbit farthest from the Sun – on December 9.

For Halley, that point is so far away, it extends past the orbit of Neptune.

The famous comet is slated to sling back by Earth in the year 2061.

Its last visit was in 1986, when it was met with much fanfare but disappointed many – its appearance was not the imagined blazing celestial fireball, but more of a dim smudge in the sky that could not be seen with the naked eye.

But while Halley disappointed, six spacecraft from four space agencies were able to observe its structure.

Named after its discoverer, astronomer Edmond Halley, 1P/Halley completes an orbit of the Sun roughly every 75 to 79 years.

This length of time earns it a designation as a "short-period" comet – which means it orbits the sun in less than 200 years.

Its short period and predictable behavior is what led to its discovery. Prior to Halley, it was not known that comets were on an orbital path that would see them return.

The astronomer p

when is halleys comet coming back around

when is halleys comet coming back to earth