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This sparsely popularized Tear Drop from the Heavens falls on our blue Bayou between now and the next six months. Linda Ronstadt sings of this little ache yearning to see that familiar sunrise and those sleepy eyes of Earth after millions of miles of nothingness. It will not be the spectacle of past Comets -- in fact you'll probably need binoculars to see this small space whimper as it nears our abode. Above is a plot of Comet Linear's somber trepidation anticipating our hello as she reaches her perihelion (closest approach to our sun -- when her heart begins to warm). In the U.S. begin looking where the Big Bear roams and follow the Comet's path as depicted. A TearDrop's tail always faces away from our sunny heart and it's interesting to note where our huge furnace is during Linear's sojourn. Summer begins when her tail is perpendicular to her arc (pointing directly to Big Bear's den this June 23. Hear her soft, lonely but piercing lament as she wanders away while you wipe your cold dazzled eyes:
I'm going back someday-- come what may, to Blue Bayou.
Where the folks are fine and the world is mine on Blue Bayou.
Where those fishing boats -- with all their sails afloat --
I only wish that I could see;
That familiar sunrise, through sleepy eyes, how happy I'd be --
On Blue Bayou!!
Diagram by Sky & Telescope Magazine
Lyrics as sung by Linda Ronstadt in "Blue Bayou"(And her roots)