Halley's First Name: Edmond or Edmund

摘要

Around 1986, when comet 1P/Halley last returned to the inner solar system, the vast majority used the spelling "Edmond" for the Erst name of the astronomer who, over 300 years ago, found this body to be a "periodic" and "permanent" member of the solar system. In Halley's published, works he used "Edmond" as his first name only three times, in comparison to using "Edmund" 22 times. We suggest that a less-dogmatic approach to first-name spelling be taken at the next apparition.