Abstract:
On 02 June 1858 at the Observatory of Florence, Giambattista Donati (1826–1873) discovered a faint
nebulous patch what was destined to become one of the most brilliant comets in history. Named after him,
Donati’s Comet (1858 VI; C/1858 L1 (Donati)) enthralled sky watchers in Europe and elsewhere like never
before. This paper brings together tales of the observations of this comet made in India. Ironically, the celestial
visitor happened to rise in India’s most turbulent times. It was seen by many as a baleful sign out to ruin and
observed by some for science
