Edmond Halley
He calculated the orbit of the comet that now bears his name, demonstrating the periodic nature of comets.
Most quoted
"Death, like the setting sun, is but a transition, a return to the cosmic dust from which we emerged, yet the light of our understanding can illuminate the path for those who follow."
— from Letters and scientific papers
"To understand the ebb and flow of the tides, the predictable return of a comet, is to touch upon the eternal rhythm of the universe, a comforting constant in a changing world."
— from Letters and scientific papers
"The contemplation of the heavens and the order of the universe cannot but fill the mind with a sense of the infinite and the eternal, humbling yet elevating the human spirit."
— from Letters and scientific papers
All quotes by Edmond Halley (375)
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
To search for truth, and to embrace it when found, is the great business of life.
The most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being.
I have been so happy as to find a method of determining the parallax of the Sun, which I hope will be found accurate.
The observations of the stars are of the greatest importance for navigation.
The study of comets is a most delightful and entertaining subject.
The Earth is a magnet, and its magnetic poles are not coincident with its geographical poles.
The atmosphere of the Earth extends to a considerable height, and is the cause of twilight.
The Moon is the cause of the tides, and the Sun has a lesser influence.
The fixed stars have proper motions, though very small.
The aurora borealis is a phenomenon of great beauty and wonder.
The saltiness of the sea is a proof of its antiquity.
The interior of the Earth is composed of several concentric shells.
The determination of longitude at sea is a problem of the greatest importance to navigation and commerce.
The transit of Venus is a rare event, and should be observed with the utmost care.
The Moon is a barren and desolate world, devoid of life.
The Sun is the source of all light and heat in our system.
The distances of the stars are so immense that they appear as mere points of light.
The universe is a vast and boundless expanse, filled with countless stars and worlds.
The pursuit of knowledge is an endless journey, but a most rewarding one.