Simplify the following text for a Grade 9 native English-speaking person.
Original: Charles ' interest in astronomy was stimulated by the appearance of the spectacular , great six-tailed comet in 1744 and by an annular solar eclipse visible from his hometown on 25 July 1748 .
Simplified: Charles ' became interested in astronomy after he saw the great six-tailed comet in 1744 and by a solar eclipse on July 25 , 1748 .