Miss. Mitchell's Comet
The comet was discovered on Oct. 1, 1847 by Maria Mitchell. When she saw the comet she immediately told her Father that was currently hosting a party downstairs. Her Father, who confirmed the discovery, wanted to announce it right away but Maria wanted to study it a little longer. However, he continued to right a letter to Harvard Observatory, but weather postponed the letters arrival until Oct. 3. This date in Rome, Francesco de Vico saw it. He was originally credited for the discovery and claimed the medal that the King of Demark was offering. When the letter finally reached Harvard, Edward Everett, the president of Harvard took it upon himself to make sure Maria was recognized. He was able to prove that Maria discovered the comet two days before Vico. Maria received the medal a year later. This made her the first American and the first women to win the medal. When Maria discover Miss. Mitchell's Comet or C/1847 T1, she was 29.
C/1847 T1 is a non-periodic comet. This means that it's orbital path may never cross through the inner solar system again or it may take hundreds to thousands of years. Due to this, we know very little about the comet itself.
C/1847 T1 is a non-periodic comet. This means that it's orbital path may never cross through the inner solar system again or it may take hundreds to thousands of years. Due to this, we know very little about the comet itself.