Arthur Storer | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1645 Lincolnshire, England |
| Died | 1687 (aged 41–42) |
| Occupation(s) | Gentleman, astronomer, and possibly apothecary |
| Title | Dr. |
| Parent(s) | Edward Storer (father), Katherine Babington (mother), William Clarke (step-father) |
| Relatives | Katherine and Edward Storer (siblings) Joseph, William, Anne, John and Martha Clarke (half siblings) |
Arthur Storer (1645–1687)[1] was America's first colonial astronomer. He came to Calvert County, Maryland, from Lincolnshire, England. He was among the first observers to sight and record data about a magnificent comet that passed over Patuxent skies in 1682.[2] Storer's work shows up in a number of Newton's writings. The comet became known as Storer's Comet, until Edmund Halley later predicted the comet's return; thereafter this celestial marvel was known as Halley's Comet. His observations of the great comet of 1680 are mentioned twice in Newton's Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. A planetarium bearing Storer's name is located in Prince Frederick, Maryland.