Halley's Comet v the Challenger Space Shuttle Disaster

[George 1978]

I do vaguely remember in early 1986 the news of something happening in space, and I had it on my mind in hindsight that it was Halley's Comet, which comes around once every 75 years or so (a bit like waiting for a bus, except there never seems to be two coming along at once when one waits almost an eternity). There was this elderly lady who was interviewed by a women's magazine and she had mentioned that she remembers seeing Halley's Comet as a little girl back in 1910 and her parents mentioning to her at the time: "have a good look as you will never get to see it again". But she did live another 75 years at least and she did see it again! My memories however could have been the Challenger space shuttle disaster but I am certain that it would have been Halley's instead.

Because of Halley and his Comet, it has seemed to absorb any memory of the Challenger disaster - I know that Newsround (when John Craven was still in charge) was the first to cover it in early 1986. My memories could be of one or the other as they were both in 1986 and space-related. I was seven at the time - if only I was older or that both events were more recent. I know that in 1986 I had a phobia of fire and memories of a local shop around the corner being a victim of an arson attack and the Rovers Return fire on Coronation Street happened so close together - that is an example of two similar things happening not too long after one another.

Does anyone have memories of either event but can't put a finger on whether it was the Challenger or Halley's? The events seem to blur and merge into each other for me.

[beccabear67]

I remember Challenger pretty well but not much Halley's comet return. Before that there was the fall of Skylab in the late '70s and kids at school wondering if any of it might knock them on the head! The Columbia shuttle breaking up made me cry, maybe as Challenger was more a shock and to have a second disaster was particularly horrible.

[Richard1978]

I remember Challenger quite well, along with all the hype over Halley's Comet which unfortunately was hard to see due to bad weather. I can remember seeing a documentary with my Dad, & learning it was a once in a lifetime chance to see it for most people.

[Arran]

The design of those space shuttles was bad as a result of engineering compromises and cost cutting.

[andrec]

I remember Challenger very well. I was at university at the time and it was the topic of conversation for days. I also remember Halley's Comet paying us a visit, but the disappointment that weather conditions did not make it a vintage return.

I recall in the late 70s, probably '77 or '78 when I was at school my class all looking through a small telescope at something in the sky. Another poster mentioned Skylab, but I can't remember what it was that we were supposed to be looking at.

[Semi42]

I remember Halleys comet coming round but I can’t remember viewing it. I do remember viewing the Halle-bop comet as I recall showing my then very young daughter it and explaining what it was and how its was unlikely we would ever see anything like it again. She still remembers it too