Predicting the eclipse, over 300 years ago.

In 1715, Sir Edmond Halley (of comet fame) used the then-new laws from his friend Isaac Newton plus a set of observations from various astronomers to predict a total solar eclipse passing over London. His map was accurate to within 20 miles, which seems incredible given the limited tools of the era.

He asks readers “The Curious are desired to Observe it, and especially the duration of Total Darkness… for therby the Situation and dimensions of the Shadow will be nicely determin’d; and by means therof, we may be enabled to Predict the like Appearances for [the] future, to a greater degree of certainty than can be pretended to at present.”

There's something special about this that connects people of very different generations.