Comets As Omens of Catastrophe: Halley’s Return in 1910 and the Ottoman Empire

This study examines the historical role of comets in astrological interpretations and apocalyptic narratives, as well as their psychological and cultural impact on societies. It aims to explore how the longstanding negative perception of comets—often seen as “omens of catastrophe” or manifestations of “God’s wrath”—was reflected in the modern era, focusing specifically on the return of Halley’s Comet in 1910. The study traces the wave of global hysteria sparked by scientific claims that cyanogen in Halley’s tail might slightly affect the planet. Drawing on periodicals and books from the time, it recounts this symbolic doomsday rehearsal and presents examples from various parts of the world to illustrate how Halley’s Comet was represented across domains such as politics, fashion, economics, and literature. By analyzing the interplay between science, the press, and public perception on a global scale, the study, for the first time, reveals how Halley’s return was interpreted in the Ottoman Empire— an empire engaged in European-style modernization—and how it was strategically utilized within that context. Accordingly, the study argues that such popular natural phenomena were not merely subjects of scientific curiosity, but also served as contested arenas where political legitimacy, social order, and collective emotion were negotiated and redefined.