Geneva, Switzerland — 21 December 1578
Signs and prodigies
“Marvellous and terrifying discourse of the signs and prodigies that appeared over the city of Geneva the 21 day of December 1578” is the title of a brochure published by G. Stadius, mathematician of the Duke of Savoy and noted astronomer. It describes strange phenomena, including “a comet surmounted by a small cross.”
Source: Discours merveilieux et espouventable des signes et prodiges qui sont apparuz au ciel sur la ville de Genefve le XXL jour de decembre mil V. cens LXXVIII [par B. Du Coudre, avec reponse de G. Stadius] (Paris: J. Pinart, 1579), Bibliotheque Nationale de France, BN MP-3321. Case: W159