Halley's Comet
See also: Halley's comet
English
Etymology
(Circa 1758) Named for Edmond Halley, the English astronomer who first computed its orbit and established its periodicity (observations of individual passages date back at least to 240 B.C.). Halley predicted the return of the comet (then last seen in 1682) in 1705; when it did return in late 1758, it quickly acquired this name.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˌhæliːz ˈkɒmɪt/, /ˌheɪliːz ˈkɒmɪt/
Proper noun
Halley's Comet
- A very bright comet which can be seen from Earth every 75-76 years.
- In the London papers of May 3 we have the following accounts […] It had a short broad tail in a direction opposite the sun ; as Dr Halley's comet ought to have ; being much foreshortened […] — The Scots Magazine, Vol. XXI (April 1759), p. 208
Synonyms
- 1P/Halley (official IAU designation)
- Comet Halley
- Halley
Translations
comet
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