Halley
Halley can refer to several notable subjects, most prominently:
Edmond Halley
Edmond Halley (1656 – 1742) was an English astronomer, geophysicist, mathematician, meteorologist, and physicist who is best known for computing the orbit of the Halley's Comet. Here are some key points about Halley:
- Birth and Early Life: Born in Haggerston, London, Halley was educated at St Paul's School and then at Queen's College, Oxford.
- Astronomy: Halley's most famous contribution to astronomy was his prediction that the comet observed in 1682 would return in 1758, which it did, posthumously confirming his calculations. This comet is now known as Halley's Comet.
- Other Contributions:
- He published the first meteorological chart, showing prevailing winds over the Atlantic.
- Halley also made significant contributions to the study of magnetism, suggesting the Earth's magnetic field might be produced by a fluid core.
- He developed a method for determining the distance of stars using parallax.
- Legacy: Halley was instrumental in the publication of Isaac Newton's Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. He was also appointed as the second Astronomer Royal in 1720.
Halley's Comet
Halley's Comet is a short-period comet visible from Earth every 75–76 years. Here are some details:
- Orbit: It has a highly elliptical orbit, with its aphelion near the orbit of Neptune and its perihelion inside the orbit of Venus.
- Historical Observations:
- First observed and recorded by Chinese astronomers in 240 BC.
- Its periodicity was recognized by Halley, who predicted its return in 1758, which was observed and confirmed.
- Significance:
- Halley's Comet has been observed and recorded by astronomers from around the world, providing valuable data on cometary behavior and composition.
- Its visits are often associated with significant events in history, although this is more a matter of coincidence.
- Next Appearance: The comet is expected to return in July 2061.
Sources:
Related Topics: