Quote#Science & Reason
From its Period, and the Manner of its Transit, I cannot think…
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).
English (original)
from its Period, and the Manner of its Transit, I cannot think different from those I have just now mention'd. Hence I dare venture to foretell, That it will return again in the Year 1758. And, if it should then return, we shall have no Reason to doubt but the rest must return too: Therefore Astronomers have a large Field to exercise themselves in for many Ages
— Edmond Halley
More from Edmond Halley
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 …
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 …
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.
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 …
A General Table for Calculating the Motions of Comets in a Parabolical Orbit.