What is Halley’s Comet?

Edmond Halley was an English scientist who became very interested in a comet that he saw in 1682. After being told that a similar comet had appeared in 1531 and 1607, he suspected that it was the same comet that he had seen.

        By using the laws of gravity discovered by his friend Sir Isaac Newton, Halley realized that he could predict when it would return. Halley worked out that he comet would appear in our skies every 75 to 76 years.

        He was correct in his prediction, but sadly when the comet did reappear, he was no more, and he could not witness the confirmation he had waited for so eagerly. In his honour, the comet was named after him.

     Though he is remembered foremost as an astronomer, Halley also made significant discoveries in the fields of geography, mathematics, meteorology, and physics. Halley was very close to Newton.