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Will you see Halley's Comet when it returns? It's possible, though improbable, that I will.

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raccoon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 02:19 PM
Original message
Will you see Halley's Comet when it returns? It's possible, though improbable, that I will.

If I do I will be a centenarian.


Halley's Comet last appeared in the inner Solar System in 1986 and will next appear in mid-2061.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halley's_Comet
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MilesColtrane Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 02:22 PM
Response to Original message
1. Unlikely, unless they have nanobots that can build me a new liver by then.
Edited on Tue Aug-31-10 02:23 PM by MilesColtrane
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LeftinOH Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 02:28 PM
Response to Original message
2. I missed it in '86; if I make it to the age of 95, I'm totally there!
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Burma Jones Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 02:38 PM
Response to Original message
3. Well, I'd be 101
I had one Grandmother make it to that age.....so who knows?
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struggle4progress Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 02:41 PM
Response to Original message
4. I'd love to, but when I last saw it in 86, I was in grad school, so
the chances are slim
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jobycom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 02:47 PM
Response to Original message
5. If I make it to 96, I ain't wasting time standing out in a field to see another comet.
There will be younger women out there for me to seduce, so I'll be hanging out in bars at retirement homes. :P
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guitar man Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 02:49 PM
Response to Original message
6. I'd be 98
I kinda doubt I'll make it that long...
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Iggo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 02:52 PM
Response to Original message
7. I'll be 99.
Sure, why not?
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Mojambo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 02:55 PM
Response to Original message
8. I'd be 87
I should make it.
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redwitch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 03:18 PM
Response to Original message
9. I will never make it to 105.
I'll have to watch it from the afterlife. :-)
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Lucian Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 03:25 PM
Response to Original message
10. I'll be 79 at that time.
God I hope I make it...
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Rising Phoenix Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 04:25 PM
Response to Original message
11. doubt it
I saw it the last time though. My dad woke me up cause he said we wouldn't be around for the next time, most likely. He used to wake me up for all the sky shows.
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NewJeffCT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 04:27 PM
Response to Original message
12. I'll be 90 1/2 in mid 2061
I don't remember if I saw it back in 1986 - I was wrapping up my freshman year of college or starting my sophomore year... I was likely more concerned about women than I was about a comet, but I may have taken notice. Just don't remember.
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lunamagica Donating Member (430 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 06:38 PM
Response to Original message
13. No, that won't happen for me
My grandfather saw it twice. He had great stories about when he saw it for the first time as a little boy. I looked forward to see it with him for years; sadly its return in '86 was anti-climatic.

My grandfather lived in a small town the first time he saw it. The town was in a panic because the rumor was that the comet had deviated from its course and was headed for a direct hit to earth. Grandfather remembers half the town drunk, and the other half in church.

He'd ran to his mom saying "Mom, this is the end of the world!" Mom told him, "No it isn't. Go play and stop listening to such nonsense!" He goes and tells one of his brothers, "It's OK. Mom says this is nonsense. There's nothing to worry about". Then the boys hear their mother cry "OH, LORD, IF WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE, PLEASE LET ME DIE SURROUNDED BY MY CHILDREEENNN!!!!

The boys look at each other and one of them says "Did you hear Mom? We're going to DIE!". Mom knew everything.

It ended to be a spectacular sight for them. Not having electricity must have made Halley look even more amazing.
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Moondog Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 07:06 PM
Response to Original message
14. I'm several years away from being eligible
for Social Security, not to mention Medicare, but I am several years onto the dark side of 50. In other words, in 2061, barring some really good luck, I will be food for worms.
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petronius Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 07:55 PM
Response to Original message
15. Possibly, but I think it's more likely that if I want to see it again I'll have to go to it,
rather than waiting for it to come to me. What's the going rate for a short-range near-FTL sightseeing trip?
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Curmudgeoness Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 07:58 PM
Response to Original message
16. At 108, I would not know what I was looking at. If I make it that long
I will be drooling all over myself, and probably other places will spring leaks too.

I hope I don't get the chance.
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david13 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 08:48 PM
Response to Original message
17. I didn't see it last time, so ... probably not. What did I miss? dc
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triguy46 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 08:55 PM
Response to Original message
18. Nope. I'm 58, and hope to have 20-30 more, not really wanting anything longer.
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JTG of the PRB Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Aug-31-10 09:41 PM
Response to Original message
19. I don't remember when it last came by because I was only 3 years old.
If I make it to my late 70's (and I certainly hope I will) then I'll be there to see it!
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WillParkinson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Sep-01-10 05:58 AM
Response to Original message
20. They say the good die young...
So I got a shot.
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JustABozoOnThisBus Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Sep-01-10 07:54 AM
Response to Original message
21. Maybe in my next incarnation
Comets are bad omens anyway, so it will not be missed.

:hi:
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Deep13 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Sep-01-10 08:03 AM
Response to Original message
22. Unlikely.
I'd be 94.
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Tuesday Afternoon Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Sep-01-10 08:37 AM
Response to Original message
23. I really doubt it, not in this form, anyway.
Edited on Wed Sep-01-10 08:37 AM by Tuesday Afternoon
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TreasonousBastard Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Sep-01-10 09:20 AM
Response to Original message
24. In '86 it was a huge crashing bore, so maybe it will be better next time, but...
I doubt they'll let me out of the home if I live to 113.
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bikebloke Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Sep-01-10 10:56 AM
Response to Original message
25. Easy, I'll be 106.
I'll be around till I'm 150...unless I die first.
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Old Troop Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Sep-01-10 04:20 PM
Response to Original message
26. I'll probably be long dead when it comes again, but if not, I'll probably
be in the bathroom when it passes over and miss it.
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liberaltrucker Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Sep-01-10 04:40 PM
Response to Original message
27. I would be 107, so very doubtful
nt
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Lydia Leftcoast Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Sep-01-10 04:54 PM
Response to Original message
28. I'd be over 100 years old
My grandmother made it to 100, but no one else in the family has.

I feel privileged to have seen Hyakutake, which was clearly visible in Portland for several nights.
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Odin2005 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Sep-02-10 11:38 PM
Response to Original message
29. I'll be 75.
Edited on Thu Sep-02-10 11:38 PM by Odin2005
I was born the last time it was visible.
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