Multiple choice general knowledge science & technology

What did 17th-century astronomer Edmund Halley notice about the comet later named after him?

  1. The comet passed by the Earth on a predictable schedule.

  2. The comet passed by the Earth at random intervals.

  3. The comet passed by Earth only once in a million years.

  4. The comet was on a collision course with Earth.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Edmund Halley studied historical records and realized that comets seen in 1531, 1607, and 1682 were actually the same object returning approximately every 76 years. He predicted it would return in 1758, and when it did, it was named Halley's Comet in his honor. This established that comets have predictable elliptical orbits, not random appearances.

Keep practicing — related questions