Edmund Halley

Edmund Halley was an English astronomer and mathematician, best known for predicting the return of a comet that now bears his name, Halley's Comet. Born in 1656, he made significant contributions to science, including work on meteorology and the orbits of celestial bodies. In 1705, he published the first scientific estimation of a comet's periodic return, establishing a connection between the comet’s past appearances and its future paths. Halley's work laid the groundwork for modern astronomy and strengthened the understanding of gravitational forces. He also served as the second Astronomer Royal in Britain.