While Edmund Halley is famously known for predicting the return of a comet now named after him (Comet Halley), he was not the discoverer of the comet itself.

Here's why:

* Comet Halley had been observed long before Halley: Historical records show sightings of the comet dating back to 240 BC.

* Halley's contribution: Halley studied historical astronomical records and identified several comet sightings that shared similar orbital characteristics. He predicted that these sightings were of the same comet and that it would return in 1758. This prediction was accurate, leading to the comet being named after him.

So, Edmund Halley wasn't the first to see Comet Halley, but his meticulous work and prediction of its return cemented his place in history and gave the comet its name.