**Halley's Comet: A Celestial Spectacle and Civilization's Wild Ride 🌠**
By Jude Obuseh
Named after the famed astronomer Edmond Halley, Halley's Comet is a celestial visitor that graces Earth with its presence only once every 76 years. During its buzz past our planet in 1910, it ignited a frenzy of fascination and even fear.
🔭 According to Wired.com, as the comet drew nearer, telescope sales skyrocketed. Hotels joined in on the excitement, offering special deals to entice people to gather on their rooftops to witness the meteor's passage.
🌃 Yet, not everyone welcomed the comet with open arms. Many harbored fears that this celestial visitor would herald the end of civilization. This intriguing idea found its origin in the beliefs of Camille Flammarion, a French astronomer. He postulated that the comet's remarkable 24-million-mile long tail contained a deadly cyanogen gas that, if released, "would impregnate the atmosphere and possibly snuff out all life on the planet."
In the face of such fascination and apprehension, Halley's Comet left an indelible mark on the collective imagination of the early 20th century. It serves as a reminder that the cosmos can both inspire wonder and ignite irrational fears. 🌌🌎💫😱
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