AllMovie

Bart Simpson (voice of Nancy Cartwright) plays one of his more elaborate pranks on Principal Seymour Skinner (voice of Harry Shearer) when he decorates a weather balloon launched by the principal so that it will resemble Skinner, bearing a sign which reads "Big Butt Skinner." As punishment, Bart has to help Skinner with his astronomy research at 4:30 a.m. each morning, but as luck would have it, while Skinner is off his watch, Bart discovers a new and unseen comet, which is named for the boy. While Bart is at first lionized for his find (much to Skinner's annoyance), it quickly becomes obvious that the comet is headed right for Springfield, and could very well destroy the town. After attempts to fend off the comet fail, doomsday fever sweeps Springfield, and several people discover that Ned Flanders (voice of Harry Shearer) is one of the only folks in town with a shelter capable of withstanding the comet. While Flanders unwittingly becomes savior of the community, everyone has to ask the question "Who should stay and who should go in Springfield" when it becomes obvious not everyone who wanted a shelter bothered to build one. "Bart's Comet" first aired on February 5, 1995.