Star map showing the path of Halley's Comet in 1759. The path of the comet passes through the constellations of Aquarius and Capricorn. Halley's Comet is visible from Earth every 75-76 years. Its returns to the inner Solar System have been observed and recorded by astronomers since at least 240 BC. The comet's periodicity was first determined in 1705 by English astronomer Edmond Halley, after whom it is now named. He correctly predicted its reappearance in 1758, and it reached the point in its orbit closest to the sun on 13th March 1759.