Théorie du mouvement des comètes, dans laquelle on a égard aux altérations que leurs orbites éprouvent par l'action des planètes. Avec l'application de cette théorie à la comète qui a &ea by CLAIRAUT, Alexis Claude - 1760

Paris: M. Lambert, 1760. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Fine. 1st Edition. Hardcover. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. 8vo (200 x 123 mm). [2] i-xiv, [1] 2-247 [1] pp. Contemporary three-quarter calf over marbled boards, spine gilt. Little browning and spotting to text. Lacking the two engraved plates. Ex-libris to front pastedown. --- Norman 487, D.S.B, Freitag 483. - First Edition. EXEEDINGLY RARE! In the work "Théorie du mouvement des comètes" ("Theory on the Movement of Comets" 1760) Clairaut predicted the date that Halley's comet would be at perihelion, the point it would be nearest the sun, was April 13, 1759. The actual date was March 13, just within the allowed-for margins of error. There was a suggestion that Halley's Comet be renamed for Clairaut and he was hailed as the "new Thales.