Quote#Nature
The Astreonomical Elements of the Motions in a Parabolick Orb of all…
Quote byEdmond Halley · 1656–1742
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: A Synopsis of the Astronomy of Comets (1705), See Table: p. 7..
English (original)
The Astreonomical Elements of the Motions in a Parabolick Orb of all the Comets that have been hitherto duly obferv'd. ...This Table needs little Explication, since 'tis plain enough from the Titles, what the Numbers mean. Only it maybe observ'd, that the Perihelium Distances, are estimated in such Parts, as the Middle Distance of the Earth from the Sun, contains 100000.
— Edmond Halley
More from Edmond Halley
But all those that consider'd Comets, until the Time of Ticho Brahe (that great Restorer of Astronomy) believ'd them to be below the Moon, and so took but little Notice of them, reckoning them no other than Vapours.
A General Table for Calculating the Motions of Comets in a Parabolical Orbit.
Wherefore, if, according to what we have already said, it should return again about the year 1758, candid posterity will not refuse to acknowledge that this was first discovered by an Englishman.
[I]n the Year 1472, which being the swiftest of all, and nearest to the Earth, was observ'd by Regiomantanus. This Comet (fo frightful upon the Account both of the Magnitude of its Body,and the Tail) mov'd Forty Degrees of a great Circle …
Next, Hevelius (a Noble Emulator of Ticho Brahe) following in Keplers Steps, embraced the same Hypothesis of the Rectilinear Motion of Comets, himself accurately observing many of them. Yet, he complain'd, that his Calculations did not …
this one Table of ours will serve for all Comets.