(This article originally appeared in the Q2 1985 STAR Newsletter and was written by Bob Thornburg.  Incidentally, the Jordan Lake experience is why RAC does not post directions to our observing site.)

Halley’s Comet Experience

On Friday January 10, we had a public observing night for Halley’s Comet. The weather started out as a good clear night. This event was heavily publicized on radio and television, so we expected up to 1,000 people might attend. We were all shocked to encounter heavy traffic upon arriving at the Ebenezer Church Boat Landing site 30 minutes BEFORE the scheduled start time of 7:30 pm. Wildlife officers were there to direct the public to parking areas away from the telescopes, while allowing us to park where we wanted to setup.

We put the ‘scopes in a line down the parking lot looking out over Jordan Lake, and soon had lines forming while we were still setting up. Each scope had up to 100 people in line throughout the evening, with a typical waiting time of 30 minutes. The comet looked very nice through the telescopes, and was an even better sight through binoculars. It was visible to the naked eye if you knew exactly where to look. Many people came to the observing with their own small telescopes and binoculars, hoping we would show them how to find the comet, and how to use their equipment. Many of us spent a lot of time trying to use a flashlight to point to the comet, while trying to also describe the comet to the person looking in the telescope. You CAN do two things at one time!

Most were pleased with the views, and very appreciative of our efforts. Those who brought their binoculars were excited to find it by themselves (or with help). The crush of people allowed only a short glimpse through the telescopes. So many people were in lines that they often bumped one of the ‘scopes while waiting, or would lean on them! This gave us a chance to view the comet occasionally! When we had a chance to look around, we saw a line of cars stretching across the bridge over the lake, and were told that they were backed up to Hwy. 64, 3.5 miles away! The 3 wildlife officers, 1 deputy sheriff, and 2 Highway Patrolmen, did an excellent job of crowd control in handling an estimated crowd of 4-5,000 people!

Unfortunately, the clouds began to roll in and obscured the comet at about 9 pm. The telescopes were then turned to the Orion Nebula, Andromeda Galaxy, the Pleiades, etc. Many were very disappointed after waiting in traffic, parking a long distance away and then being in line for 30 minutes. Those that looked at the other objects seemed quite satisfied with what they saw.

RAC members attending were: Bob Thornburg, Fred & David Gurney, Mike Searle, Carl Moreschi, Allen Mitchell, Jerry Watson, Rene Ward, Gary Held, Don Morris, Ron Faircloth, Mark Lang, George Davis, Cindy Sandifer, Dave Moore, and John Larimer. Mike Malpass, who came out to view the comet and ended up helping me with my scope and getting hooked !

On the morning of Saturday March 15, we repeated this madness at the unearthly advertised hour of 4:00 am. This time we went to the soccer fields north of Raleigh, since it had a better view to the east. It was cold (26F) but clear! Most of us arrived around 3:00 am to set up, but Jerry, David Weintraub, and Janice Pasmanter had been there since 1:00 am! Reporters and photographers from the N&O arrived next and photographed Jerry and David and Jerry’s telescope. The public began arriving about 3:45 (long before the comet was visible) and got views of Saturn, and the Lagoon Nebula while waiting for the comet to clear the haze along the horizon.

Finally the comet became apparent as a dim fuzzy patch in binoculars and telescope, and the lines began to form. Once again people wanted us to show them where to look, and were pleased to find Halley themselves! Most felt that the view through binoculars was the best.  Unfortunately, very little of the tail was visible, and Many were disappointed. Those that left before the moon set had a dim view indeed. The crowd was estimated at 15OO – 2000.

The comet was visible until about 5:15 a.m.  Afterwards some people stayed to see Saturn and Mars, and several remarked that it was worth getting up just to see Saturn! Most of the public has no idea that the rings can be seen! Everyone was very courteous and thanked us for putting on the event.

The N&O published the shot of Jerry’s ‘scope, and also one of the comet taken from Mark lang’s ‘scope. RAC members attending were: Bob Thornburg,Fred & David Gurney, Mike Searle, Carl Moreschi, Allen Mitchell, Jerry Watson, Rene Ward (with hot chocolate), Gary Held, Don Morris, Phyllis Knight, Dave Doty, David Moore, Mike Malpass, and John larimer. My apologies for anyone left out in these accounts. It was hard to know who was there in the multitudes!