Maybe Twice in a Lifetime

© 2005 
USA & Europe

 a novel by Kyara Russo


The paintings in the novel

Robert, the male main character, is an astrophysicist. At one point he becomes part of a team that uses the Giotto satellite to study Halley's comet. Here's a gorgeous shot the comet as it appeared in its most recent apparition 1985-86, in mid-March 1986 (as in my novel).

Click on the picture for a better view

Here's what Halley (astrophysicist) looked like:

Edmond Halley 1656- 1742

In 1682 Halley observed that the comet had the same orbit as those observed in 1607 and 1531 by others.
In 1695 he therefore assumed that the 3 comets were one and the same.
He calculated that the comet would have reapperared in 1758. His prediction came true but he died in 1742. This is why the comet was given his names. The comet goes round the Sun returning in our skies roughly every 76 years. 

 Want to know what my book is all about?

Halley's Comet		 Places round the world in this book (with maps)

If at a loss with sailing 
terms in my book...
Halley's comet was seen many times over the centuries, for example:

By the Chinese as early as 1059 B.C.
Chinese drawings of Halley's approach in their skies in 1059 B.C.

By the English before the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and made into a tapestry

Bayeau Tapestry of Battle of Hastings 1066

 


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Here's the Giotto Spacecraft Click on the picture for a better view, lauched July 1985 from Ariane

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This is the spectacular photo Giotto took of Halley's nucleus. This is as good a view as I found, March 1986