A University of Leicester historian is challenging the notion that a medieval monk named Eilmer of Malmesbury saw Halley's comet twice. Eilmer, known for his attempt at flight using crude wings, reportedly saw a comet in 1066 and commented, 'It is long since I saw you.'
Some historians believe this implies he saw Halley's comet on an earlier pass in 989, but James Aitcheson argues that Eilmer may have seen a different comet in 1018.
If Aitcheson's theory is correct, Eilmer's birthdate and the timing of his flight attempt would be significantly different than previously thought.
