In 1881, the French artist, astronomer and amateur entomologist, Etienne Trouvelot, published his astonishing illustrated compendium of astronomical phenomena and celestial bodies, The Trouvelot Astronomical Drawings. Contained in the pages were spectacular illustrations of planets and star clusters, meteor showers, sunspots, and this wonderful depiction of the long-period comet known as C/1881 K1, which was witnessed on May 22, 1881 at Windsor, New South Wales. In addition to his scientific and artistic accomplishments, Trouvelot is known primarily for the unfortunate release of the invasive and destructive Gypsy Moth into North America.
Find out More:
The Trouvelot Astronomical Drawings – Public Domain Review
Trouvelot Astromical Illustrations (Gallery) – NYPL Collections
The Old, Awesome Space Drawings of Etienne Trouvelot – Atlantic.com
The Great Comet of 1881 – The Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences
