Some years ago a young amateur astronomer set out to accomplish the almost impossible task of discovering a new comet. He searched the skies continuously night after night for many months. Finding nothing, he became deeply discouraged.
At this point he wrote to a famous astronomer of wide experience asking for advice, and received this reply: “To observe the skies solely to seek a new comet is a hopeless task which demands a great deal of time and hard labor. But to observe the brilliant heavens for their own sake without thought of a discovery may bring good luck to your comet-seeking.”
The young man wisely followed this recommendation, and before long was rewarded by discovering and positively identifying a new comet. And he gained the distinction of having it named after him.Reader's Digest, January, 1966, p.110;
