Edmond Halley Quotes

United Kingdom, Mathematician
October 29, 1656 – January, 14, 1742.

Edmond (or Edmund) Halley, FRS (; 8 November [O.S. 29 October] 1656 – 25 January 1742 [O.S. 14 January 1741]) was an English astronomer, geophysicist, mathematician, meteorologist, and physicist. He was the second Astronomer Royal in Britain, succeeding John Flamsteed. He computed the orbit of Halley's Comet, which was named after him as a result.

Also known as Geophysicist, Astronomer, Meteorologist, Cartographer, Philosopher, Demographer, Physicist, University Teacher

Nearer the gods no mortal may approach.

Edmond Halley
- May
- Gods
- Approach
Scarce any problem will appear more hard and difficult, than that of determining the distance of the Sun from the Earth very near the truth: but even this... will without much labour be effected.

Edmond Halley
- Truth
- Earth
- Problem

Wherefore, if, according to what we have already said, it should return again about the year 1758, candid posterity will not refuse to acknowledge that this was first discovered by an Englishman.

Edmond Halley
This sight... is by far the noblest astronomy affords.

Edmond Halley
- Sight
- Far
- Astronomy
Aristotle's opinion... that comets were nothing else than sublunary vapors or airy meteors... prevailed so far amongst the Greeks, that this sublimest part of astronomy lay altogether neglected; since none could think it worthwhile to observe, and to give an account of the wandering and uncertain paths of vapours floating in the Ether.

Edmond Halley
- Opinion
- Path
- Greek
In the year 1456 ... a Comet was seen passing Retrograde between the Earth and the sun... Hence I dare venture to foretell, that it will return again in the year 1758.

Edmond Halley
- Sun
- Return
- Passing
This incomparable Author having at length been prevailed upon to appear in public, has in this Treatise given a most notable instance of the extent of the powers of the Mind; and has at once shown what are the Principles of Natural Philosophy, and so far derived from them their consequences, that he seems to have exhausted his Argument, and left little to be done by those that shall succeed him.a

Edmond Halley
- Mind
- Science
- Philosophy