The Truth is Revealed
Above is a nice painting of Maria.
Finally, in 1710, after 8 years had passed since Maria had found the comet, Gottfried admitted that Maria had actually made the discovery of the comet, and not him. However, the comet still remained to be named after Gottfried. Maria never received the honor of her comet being named after her, although she was its first discoverer. Maria was not upset, for she never sought credit, and she continued to publish her work in astronomy in German publications. Even though Gottfried told the truth, some people may still mistakenly believe that he made the discovery, and not Maria. Nobody knows why it was never renamed after its true discoverer.
She also made some more discoveries before Gottfried admitted the truth about the comet. She made observations of the Aurora Borealis in 1707, and the conjunction of the Sun with Saturn and Venus in 1709. These things have become lasting contributions in astronomy.
She also made some more discoveries before Gottfried admitted the truth about the comet. She made observations of the Aurora Borealis in 1707, and the conjunction of the Sun with Saturn and Venus in 1709. These things have become lasting contributions in astronomy.