Halley’s Comet
A Review by Dr. Jerry Flack
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Reviewed by Dr. Jerry D. Flack
Cosmic Wonder is an excellent fusion of several sciences (astronomy, biology, botany, geology, zoology) and history (anthropology and archaeology). Author-Illustrator Ashley Behnam-Yazdani reveals the astronomical history and point of view of the most famous comet in our solar system while she also forges a stunning visual timeline of the evolution of early Earthlings and the growth of humanity, the dominant species on our planet. She successfully tells two stories: the personification of the life of the comet with speculations as to how it may have viewed the planet Earth for at least the past 200,000 years and a briefer but parallel account of how humans have viewed the astronomical marvel of the comet that passes by Earth approximately every 76 years.
Halley’s comet most likely was born at the same time as our solar system, 4.6 billion years ago. However, its current orbit around its star, the sun, began perhaps 200,000 years ago. Benham-Yazdani initially devotes the first half of this highly informative picture book to suggest how the comet might have witnessed changes of the planet Earth over vast passages of time. Gradually, approximately every 76 years, the comet witnessed changes from 200,000 years until 16,000 years ago. On its periodic journeys, the comet may have witnessed the growing dominance of humanity among Earthlings at least 9,000 years ago. At 8,000 years, the comet observed the first and greatest invention of all time, the development of agriculture. This invention allowed for the establishment of human communities such as ancient Southwest pueblos. Ancient explorers such as the Polynesians used the night sky (plus the sun and ocean waves) to make migrations of thousands of miles. By 4,000 B.C., the most advanced inhabitants of the planet Earth added spiritual beliefs to their lives with monuments such as Stonehenge. At this point in her narrative, Benham-Yazdani switches her verbal and visual perspective to how humans discovered and followed the comet in many locations around the globe.
Storytelling, art, and even written words and symbols emerged to chronicle the passing of the comet. Finally, by 1758, humans gave the comet a name. English astronomer and mathematician Edmond Halley theorized that one comet – not several – appeared near Earth at intervals of approximately 76 years.
From its perspective, the comet has witnessed both war and peace. Notable scientists and artists referred to the famed comet. William Shakespeare wrote of comets in Henry IV, Part 1, Act 3,
By being seldom seen, I could not stir
But like a comet I was wondered at.
The most recent visit of Halley’s Comet to pass by Earth in its orbit around the sun was in 1986. It was the first time Earthlings could use satellite cameras to capture close-up images of the comet. Today’s young gifted readers and researchers will see the comet next in 2061.
Cosmic Wonder may be approached as two books in one. The stories of Halley’s Comet and the evolution of Earthlings, especially humans, are conveyed in gorgeous images and poetic storytelling. Benham-Yazdani's point of view is that humanity lives in the hope that peace, love, and kindness will be ever present on the planet Earth for the comet to witness every 76 years. The final pages are divided into exposition of how the comet may have observed Earth and how humanity has seen the comet across thousands of years. The science of comets includes explorations of their origin, their definition, meteor showers, a history of Edmond Halley, and current and future space exploration. The comet observes the Earth with commentaries on early humans, prehistoric art, inventions, war and peace, celestial inspiration, and more recently, our threatened ozone.
The art of Cosmic Wonder is as inviting as is its narrative. The mixed-media luminous illustrations beautifully capture the glories of outer space and the historical presence of humans and other Earthlings in glorious colors. Benham-Yazdani is especially dazzling in her lush single and double-page spreads. The focal point of the artwork is, appropriately, the comet itself. It appears on virtually every page. The comet is shown from many perspectives in order to highlight essential components such as its nucleus and vapor trail. Utilizing swirling images particularly in hues of blue, green, violet, and white, the famed comet dominates images, that mostly are night scenes. Humans are portrayed as curious observers across thousands of years and particularly in the past four centuries as astronomers and mathematicians have studied the comet in greater scientific detail. Full-color thumbnail sketches accompany the factual information at the end of this first-class science lesson.
Home and School Activities
Mark Twain and Halley’s Comet. Samuel Langhorne Clemens, a.k.a. Mark Twain, often referred to as the “Father of American Literature,” wrote and spoke about the connection of Halley’s Comet to his own lifetime. Direct readers to search biographies of Twain to discover the connection. Twain was born in 1835 and died in 1910. Ask researchers to write an article for a newspaper in 1910. How can they most creatively reveal the dual story of Twain’s life and Halley’s Comet? Suggest the creation of a drawing of Twain at any stage of his life during the two comet revolutions that occurred during his lifetime.
History and Halley’s Comet. The predictable appearance of Halley’s Comet from Earth has been connected to pivotal historical events. The great work of art, the 230-feet long Bayeux Tapestry, commemorates the Norman Invasion of England in 1066. Why is this appearance important historically? How did William the Conquerer’s followers interpret the view of the famed comet? Encourage students to verbally and visually share their research data of the appearance of the comet in 1066.
STEM Research. The acronym STEM stands for the study and use of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in both education and in the workplace. Invite students to create a particular connection to Halley’s Comet and one of the four STEM components. Can they reveal a relationship of technology to the past, present, and possible futures of Halley’s Comet? If so, encourage writers (and illustrators) to add their work to an existing STEM or a school web site especially if they attend a STEM-based special school. Be sure that online researchers explore “STEM Like a Girl.”
Humanities as seen from Space. Much of the latter narration and illustration of Cosmic Wonder is devoted to views of humans the famed comet may have seen on visits every 76 years to the planet Earth during its history. As early as 8000 BCE, the comet could have seen the inventions of agriculture, housing, and ocean travel. People in Europe, Asia, and perhaps North America were already noting the spectacular comet in their art work, writing, carving, and storytelling. Ask readers to select one of the humanities such as storytelling or drama as portrayed by Ashley Benham-Yazdani. Research her reference point much further. For example, how did Shakespeare incorporate astronomy into his plays? Readers can use a graphic novel format to visually and verbally imagine an occasion when the great playwright first observed comets. A cover illustration might be a scene from Henry IV, Part 1, Act 3.
Mathematics and Halley’s Comet. Both the narrative and end matter contain an abundance of numbers (primarily dates and Earthling/humanity evolution). Samples include 4.6 billion years ago, 200,000 years in the ancient past, years of its appearance such as 1300, 1682, 1758, 1986 and predictably 2061. Other numbers include 70 meters and 600 kilometers. Nearly 25 numbers are used by the author. Suggest a mathematics challenge. Can students select five different numbers found in Cosmic Wonder and create an original mathematics problem with the five numbers? Be sure youthful mathematicians provide the correct answers to their self-generated story problems. Encourage problem solvers to borrow cues from the artist and illustrate their mathematical creations.
Preparing for the Future. Fast forward to the year 2045 after NASA joined the World Astronomy Union (WAU). WAU was created to prepare for the predicted orbit of Halley’s Comet around Earth in 2061. It is now 2056, and many of today’s youth are leaders of the WAU team of astronomers. They are attending the WAU Earthling Conference to cerebrate their future. Ask future scientists to create a visual chart with the following questions and predicted answers. What facts do astronomers know about the Comet? What do they think they know? What do they want to learn from the Comet’s 2061 orbit? What technology do they have or can they develop to help in their research? Encourage gifted scientists to prepare a sharing of their research in the year 2056.
Benham-Yazdani, Ashley. Cosmic Wonder: Halley’s Comet and Humankind. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2023.
