The Halley's Comet Panic
The Disappearing Spoon: a science history podcast with Sam Kean - A podcast by Sam Kean, Bleav - Tuesdays
The 1910 return of Halley’s comet was greeted with rapture around the world—at least at first. Due to irresponsible speculation by scientists about the theoretical dangers of a close encounter with a comet, many people grew terrified of Halley’s approach and took drastic measures. They fled their homes, hid out in wells or caves, even committed suicide. It’s a grave reminder of scientific communication gone very wrong.
