Discovery of Great Comet of 1680

Date: November 14, 1680 • Location: Berlin, Germany

German astronomer Gottfried Kirch discovered the Great Comet of 1680, the first comet to be discovered by telescope.

Gottfried Kirch was a German astronomer and the first "Astronomer Royal" in Berlin and, as such, director of the nascent Berlin Observatory.

This milestone marked a defining occurrence in Germany's and world history, leaving an indelible imprint on societal development, international relations, and cultural memory. Its enduring ramifications continue to be examined and commemorated by historians and scholars across the globe.