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A History Of Comet Fears And Fascination

Published August 6, 2014 at 12:25 PM EDT
In a scene depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry (circa 1090), Halley's Comet is pointed out and reported to King Harold at the time of the Norman Conquest of England. Its appearance was said by soothsayers to foretell doom and destruction. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
In a scene depicted on the Bayeux Tapestry (circa 1090), Halley's Comet is pointed out and reported to King Harold at the time of the Norman Conquest of England. Its appearance was said by soothsayers to foretell doom and destruction. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Comets have always fascinated those of us on Earth. For a long time, comets were thought to be portents of doom. The BBC’s science correspondent, Pallab Ghosh, takes us back through history.


Note: This BBC piece can be heard in the Here & Now podcast or with the WBUR app.

Reporter

  • Pallab Ghosh, science correspondent for BBC News. He tweets @BBCPallab.

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