Event #1704: A comet appears - Halleys?

X/607 U1: The Chinese text Pei shih (670) says this object was seen on 607 October 21. It apparently considers this another appearance of the comet seen in April and says it “reappeared … at the south. It again extended across the sky from Chio [α and ζ Virginis] and Khang [ι, κ, λ and φ Virginis]. It swept Ti-Tso [α Herculis] of T’ai-wei Enclosure [Coma Berenices, Leo, and Virgo]. It trespassed against all of the other lunar mansions except Shen [α, β, γ, δ, ε, ζ and κ Orionis] and Tung-Ching [γ, ε, ζ, λ, μ, ν, ξ, and 36 Geminorum]. After the new year it was extinguished.” The comet was probably discovered in the morning sky, implying a UT of October 20.9. The new year began on 608 January 23. The Statement “swept Ti-Tso of the T’ai-wei Enclosure” must be in error since Ti-Tso is not located in the T’ai-wei Enclosure. Wen Shion Tsu (1934) said this comet began in Andromeda and vanished in Leo, just as did 1P/Halley. He suggested this was 1P/Halley, and that the observation was misdated. Ho Peng Yoke (1962) listed this as a continued observation of Halley’s Comet.

Full Moon: October 11, November 9, December 9

Sources: Pei shih (670), p. 167; A. G. Pingré (1783), p. 327; PA, 42 (1934 Apr.), p. 196; Ho Peng Yoke (1962), p. 167; JBIS, 38 (1985), p. 204.

X/607 U1: The Italian text Historia Gentis Langobardorum (787) says, “And in the months of November and December a comet appeared.” Although the year is somewhat ambiguous, the account continues the chronology which included the 607 apparition of 1P/Halley.

Full Moon: October 11, November 9, December 9

Sources: Historia Gentis Langobardorum (787), p. 175; A. G. Pingré (1783), p. 327; PA, 42 (1934 Apr.), p. 196; Ho Peng Yoke (1962), p. 167; JBIS, 38 (1985), p. 204.