The comet that English astronomer Edmond Halley predicted would return in 1758 was seen in December of that year and passed perihelion (closest distance to the sun) on March 13, 1759. His calculations showed that comets observed in 1531, 1607, and 1682 had very similar orbits. Halley suggested that they were really one comet that returned approximately every 76 years. Halley did not live to see his prediction come true (he died in 1742), but the comet was named in Halley’s honour. Its next sighting will be in 2061.
Creator God,
we thank you that we live in such an extraordinary universe.
We are grateful to those who study the night sky and for all that we have learned from them.
May we always retain a sense of awe and wonder about the created world
Amen
By Fr Pat O'Shea - Lower Hutt
Shop
Comments (0)