All the Elements agree, and nothing seems to contradict this my Opinion, besides the Inequality of the Periodick Revolutions: Which Inequality is not… - Edmond Halley
" "All the Elements agree, and nothing seems to contradict this my Opinion, besides the Inequality of the Periodick Revolutions: Which Inequality is not so great neither, as that it may not be owing to Physical Causes. For the Motion of Saturn is so disturbed by the rest of the Planets, especially Jupiter, that the Periodick Time of that Planet is uncertain for some whole Days together. How much more therefore will a Comet be subject to such like Errors, which rises almost Four times higher than Saturn, and whose Velocity, tho' encreased but a very little, would be sufficient to change its Orbit, from an Elliptical to a Parabolical one.
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About Edmond Halley
Edmond Halley, FRS (8 November 1656 – 14 January 1742) was an English astronomer, geophysicist, mathematician, meteorologist, and physicist who is best known for computing the orbit of the eponymous Halley's Comet.
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Edmund Halley
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By comparing together the Accounts of the Motions of these Comets, 'tis apparent, their Orbits are dispos'd in no manner of Order; nor can they, as the Planets are, be comprehended within a Zodiack, but move indifferently every Way, as well Retrograde as Direct; from whence it is clear, they are not carry'd about or mov'd in Vortices. Moreover, the Distances in their Perihelium's are sometimes greater, sometimes less; which makes me suspect, there may be a far greater Number of them, which moving in Regions more remote from the Sun, become very obscure; and wanting Tails, pass by us unseen.
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But Seneca the Philosopher, having consider'd the Phænomena of Two remarkable Comets of his Time, made no Scruple to place them amongst the Cœlestial Bodies; believing them to be Stars of equal Duration with the World, tho' he owns their Motions to be govern'd by Laws not as then known or found out. And at last (which was no untrue or vain Prediction) he foretells, that there should be Ages sometime hereafter, to whom Time and Diligence shou'd unfold all these Mysteries, and who shou'd wonder that the Ancients cou'd be ignorant of them, after some lucky Interpreter of Nature had shewn, in what Parts of the Heavens the Comets wander'd, and how great they were.
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