This famous comet has been observed since at least 240 BC, but it was Edmond Halley who first predicted its periodic return in 1705. He noted that the comets observed in 1531, 1607, and 1682 were ...

Halley found the similarities in the orbits of bright comets reported in 1531, 1607, and 1682 and he suggested that the trio was actually a single comet making return trips. Correctly predicting ...

and one he had observed himself in 1682. 'Each appearance was separated by 75 years. PROF. SIMON SCHAFFER:'Convinced that these three sightings were of the same comet. 'Halley made a public ...