Wednesday, Sept. 11, 1985
Campus/Area
University Daily Kansan
9
Halley's luster is dim against other comets
By John Williams Of the Kansan staff
The return of Halley's Comet this spring after 76 years has touched off an increased interest in comets.
Bryan Graves/KANSAN
David Beard, professor of astronomy and physics, explains the details of his research on comets.
But for David Beard, professor of astronomy and physics, comets like Halley's are "boring" compared to more spectacular ones known as long-term comets.
A particular long-term comet can be seen only about once every million years, making Beard's work mainly theoretical because of the lack of comets to study.
Comets are ancient relics of the solar system, made of water, dust and other gases that were left from the formation of the solar system. Many astronomy teachers define a comet as a dirty snowball.
"Studying the long-term comets is much more exciting because the material the comet is made of is more primitive, and we can get a much better idea of what comets are made of." Beard said.
Some of Beard's work involves determining how much mass is lost
by a comet as it approaches the sun and studying the effects of the solar wind, which blows on the comet, forming its tail.
Beard said the most spectacular comets, which are much brighter than others, came about once a century
"The most spectacular comet so far this century was the Great Comet of 1910, or Cornet Brooks," he said. "When you ask many people if they remember seeing Halley's Comet they probably think of Cornet Brooks and not Halley's because they appeared in the same year."
Some of the long-term comets people might remember are Comet Kaboutek in 1980, Comet West in 1976, Comet Mirks in 1957, Beard said.
"Unfortunately, the Earth will not be in a very good position to observe Halley's comet," he said. "From around here the comet will appear low in the southwestern horizon.
"This will be a lousy year to see Halley's, while in 1910 it was a great
But the United States still will be the first to study a comet at close range.
One big problem for scientists,
Beard said, was that the United States was not sending a probe to Halley's Comet, because of lack of money. The Soviet Union, Europe and Japan will be sending probes to study the comet.
Zinner today after pursuing it for two years.
A space probe called the International Cometary Explorer, a 1,064 pound robot spacecraft, is scheduled to catch up to Comet Giacobini-
"The probe we got off to Giacobin-Zinner was something pretty quick," he said. "The comet is not as interesting as Halley's, but at least we can say that we visited a comet first.
"Giacobini-Zinner can still tell us a lot about what comets are made of, but Halley's is larger and is more like the long-term comets."
--mister Guy... natural clothing in natural fabrics that get better and more personal with age... Mister Guy serving the discriminating KU man and woman since 1967. free refreshments on all KU home games!!
Overcoming Math & Science
Anxiety
- Does the sight of a mathbook cause you to tremble?
- Do you avoid enrolling in your required science classes?
Wednesday, Sept. 11
If math and science are not "your thing" this workshop is for you.
- Do you want help overcoming your anxieties?
7-9 p.m.
Regionalist Rm., Kansas Union
For more information, call The Emily Taylor
The Emily Taylor
Women's Resource Center, 864-3552
--mister Guy... natural clothing in natural fabrics that get better and more personal with age... Mister Guy serving the discriminating KU man and woman since 1967. free refreshments on all KU home games!!
hours
m-t-w f-sat
m-3:0 6 p.m.
th-9:30 8:30 p.m.
nun-noon 5 p.m.
MISTER
920 mass
842-2700
LAIRD NOLLER TOYOTA LAIRD NOLLER TOYOTA LAIRD NOLLER TOYOTA LAIRD NOLLEI
LAIRD NOLLER TOYOTA LAIRD NOLLER TOYOTA LAIRD NOLLER TOYOTA LAIRD NOLLER TOYOTA LAIRD NOLLER TOYOTA LAIRD NOLLER
DLLER TOYOTA LAIRD NOLLER TOYOTA LAIRD NOLLER TOYOTA LAIRD NOLLER TOYOTA
843-2116 11th & Mississippi Lawrence, Kansas
Leasing office 1123 Indiana
- Over 40 New units
- 2-Bedroom Available
- 1-Bedroom
- Super Studio
- Studio
- Laundry Facilities
- Great Location! Walk Anywhere
- Furnished and Unfurnished Units
- On KU Bus Route
- Off-street Parking
- 10 or 12 Month Leases
NOW LEASING
- Resident Manager
- Applianced Kitchens
- Adjacent to Campus
Formerly STADIUM APARTMENTS