For Just How Long Has the Periodicity of Halley's Comet Been Known?

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The periodicity of Halley's Comet has been recognized as far back as the 1st century, with evidence suggesting that Jewish astronomers noted its appearance in the Talmud, referring to a star that appears once every seventy years. Additionally, Eilmer of Malmesbury documented his observation of Halley's Comet in 989 and again in 1066, indicating its significant impact on historical events. These references highlight the long-standing awareness of Halley's Comet's periodic nature, underscoring its importance in both astronomy and cultural history.

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I was just reading up about Halley's Comet in Wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halley's_Comet[/PLAIN] ), and I came across the following two items:


"The possibility has been raised that 1st-century Jewish astronomers had already recognized Halley's Comet as periodic.[26] This theory notes a passage in the Talmud[27] which refers to "a star which appears once in seventy years that makes the captains of the ships err."[28]"

and

"This appearance of the comet is also noted in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Eilmer of Malmesbury may have seen Halley previously in 989, as he wrote of it in 1066: "You've come, have you? ... You've come, you source of tears to many mothers, you evil. I hate you! It is long since I saw you; but as I see you now you are much more terrible, for I see you brandishing the downfall of my country. I hate you!"[64]"
 
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BadBrain said:
"The possibility has been raised that 1st-century Jewish astronomers had already recognized Halley's Comet as periodic.[26] This theory notes a passage in the Talmud[27] which refers to "a star which appears once in seventy years that makes the captains of the ships err."[28]"

from http://halakhah.com/horayoth/horayoth_10.html#chapter_iii (nezikin, tractate horayoth, chapter 3 (הוריות פרק ג), gemara (גמרא), at folio 10b (י,ב)) …

The latter answered him, 'A certain star rises once in seventy years and leads the sailors astray, and I suspected it might rise and lead us astray.'​

the original babylonian aramaic of the words in bold (from http://www.mechon-mamre.org/b/l/l4803.htm … or is this a hebrew translation? :confused:) is …

כוכב אחד לשבעים שנה עולה ומתעה את <הספינות> [הספנים​


which google-translate renders (from hebrew) as
One star rises and seventy years misleading the <ships> [sailors]​
 
tiny-tim said:
from http://halakhah.com/horayoth/horayoth_10.html#chapter_iii (nezikin, tractate horayoth, chapter 3 (הוריות פרק ג), gemara (גמרא), at folio 10b (י,ב)) …

The latter answered him, 'A certain star rises once in seventy years and leads the sailors astray, and I suspected it might rise and lead us astray.'​

the original babylonian aramaic of the words in bold (from http://www.mechon-mamre.org/b/l/l4803.htm … or is this a hebrew translation? :confused:) is …

כוכב אחד לשבעים שנה עולה ומתעה את <הספינות> [הספנים​


which google-translate renders (from hebrew) as
One star rises and seventy years misleading the <ships> [sailors]​


Thanks! :smile: