Dec 27 1973
From The Space Library
The U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 626 from Baykonur Cosmodrome into orbit with a 264-km (164-mi) apogee, 250-km (155.3- mi) perigee, 89.6-min period, and 65.0° inclination. (GSFC SSR, 12/ 31/73 ; SBD, 1/3/74, 10)
Comet Kohoutek would not be as spectacular as expected, Dr. Stephan P. Maran, director of Goddard Space Flight Center's Operation Kohoutek said at a Johnson Space Center news briefing. Dr. Sdeneka Sekanina, Smithsonian Observatory scientist, said that although the comet might be a disappointment to the general public, it would be the first comet to be studied during its first close pass of the sun and therefore, scientifically, "the most important comet we've had since Halley's." The comet would be difficult to see by naked eye from ground because it would be low on the horizon and because of light pollution from the earth and lack of light-reflecting dust. (Transcript)
The approach of Comet Kohoutek had taken on special significance in conservative religious circles, the New York Times News Service reported. Its Christmas season timing had revived speculation about the nature of the star reported to have led the Wise Men to Bethlehem. One theory had been that it was a comet similar to Kohoutek. Some Protestant fundamentalists had ascribed religious significance to Kohoutek and saw it as a possible sign of the second coming of Christ. Others interpreted it as a warning of impending doom. (B Sun, 12/27/73)
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