Christian Gartner

Christian Gartner (6 May 1705 – 31 December 1782) was a German telescope maker and astronomer, noted for his observation of the 1758 return of Halley's Comet.

Gartner was born at Tolkewitz near Dresden and even as a child had a passion for the stars. He earned his living as a cloth-bleacher and spent his income on astronomical equipment and books. Later, he learned to grind his own lenses and manufactured and sold telescopes.

In December 1758 (simultaneously with Johann Georg Palitzsch) Gartner observed the return of Halley's Comet, predicted by Edmond Halley in 1705.

Gartner died a pauper in 1782 and was buried in Leuben cemetery.