How did ancient sky-watchers document comet appearances relative to fixed stars?
Answer
Sketching position against constellations
In the era before telescopes, comet observation relied entirely on human vision against the known backdrop of the sky. The technique involved meticulously recording the apparent position of the fleeting comet relative to the established, fixed pattern of constellations. This allowed early astronomers in places like ancient China and Babylon to create records of when and where these celestial visitors were briefly visible. This method documented the event but lacked the mathematical precision to determine orbital characteristics or future returns.
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