Edmund Halley (1656-1742), English astronomer, best known for his study of comets. He concluded that the comets of 1531, 1607, and 1682 were in reality a single body and accurately predicted itsreturn in 1758. The comet has since been known as Halley's Comet. —HDA Tapes (Oakland Lectures) Approved Glossary (16.4.92)