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Space

Ancient Greeks spotted Halley's comet

By Jo Marchant

8 September 2010

New Scientist Default Image

The comet was considered a bad omen in 1066

(Image: Mary Evans/Alamy)

A CELESTIAL event in the 5th century BC could be the earliest documented sighting of Halley’s comet – and it marked a turning point in the history of astronomy.

According to ancient authors, from Aristotle onwards, a meteorite the size of a “wagonload” crashed into northern Greece sometime between 466 and 468 BC. The impact shocked the local population and the rock became a tourist attraction for 500 years.

The accounts describe a comet in the sky when the meteorite fell. This has received little …

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