The painting envisions the future observation of Halley's Comet in 2061. This date is noted on the wall planner of an astronomer. The astronomer studies comets with a refractor telescope, aiming to understand the impact of planets on their paths. When a comet passes behind a large planet, the planet’s gravitational force can act to enlarge the comet’s orbit. For this reason, the astronomer tries to find with his telescope this planet to understand its effect on the comet. There is a question written in the painting: 'How do scientists know that the orbits of planets are elliptical?' The sky map shows planets, the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper, and the Cassiopeia constellation. Models of the sun and earth are placed in the library. The painting uses a Cubist style, showing multiple perspectives through geometric fragmentation.