BHC4148

The Great Comet of 1843 Long Caption: A night-time view showing an eyewitness account of the Great Comet of 1843, painted by the astronomer Charles Piazzi Smyth. The earliest observation occurred on the evening of 5 of February, 1843 and Smyth recorded its appearance at the Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa between 3 and 6 of March. When at its greatest brilliance, it was visible only from southern latitudes. The view in the painting is probably taken from the Observatory. It shows Table Bay with Table Mountain visible in the background on the left. Credit line: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London Object: BHC4148 Artist: Charles Piazzi Smyth Date: 1843 Medium: oil on canvas Size: 907 mm x 610 mm Click here to buy a bespoke print of this image.