May 18, 2013

This day in history:
The Earth was predicted to pass through Halley comet’s 24-million-mile-long tail on May 18th 1910 for 6 hours. Hotels prepared for comet watchers. Boston would sound fire alarm if comet was visible. 350 American astronomers kept vigil and reactions of fear and prayer repeated. All night services held in many churches; 1881 dire prophecies recalled by comet scare. However,calculations indicate tail may have passed Earth, missing it by 197,000 miles. read more