On 1973 March 18, L. Kohoutek at the Hamburg Bergedorf Observatory discovered a 16th magnitude comet in Hydra on plates taken on March 7 and 9. He described it as diffuse with central condensation. Preliminary elements by B. G. Marsden and S. W. Milbourn showed a small perihelion distance of about 0.14 AU, suggesting the comet would become a bright object towards the end of the year. This paper analyses observations of the comet in the BAA Comet Section archives and addresses in particular the question of the brightness finally achieved by this controversial object. (11 pp)

Visual and photometric V band light curves are compared. The visual data are recalibrated using the Johnson V magnitudes contained in the Tycho Catalogue and the effect of this substitution assessed. The exercise emphasises the fact that modern catalogue data is too contextual in its nature to be plucked from its source and forced into service on an arbitrary basis. (5 pp)

The camera obscura (from Latin meaning darkened chamber) is a simple optical device with a long history. In the form considered here, it can be traced back to 1550. It had its heyday during the Victorian era when it was to be found at the seaside as a tourist attraction or sideshow. This paper describes the application of the camera obscura to astronomy. (4 pp)

The Association's first award was inaugurated and funded by Walter Goodacre in 1929. Since then, four other awards have been introduced to honour the names of prominent figures in the Association, and to acknowledge those whose work and achievements have benefited the Association or astronomy in general. (9 pp)

In The Road to Xanadu, (1927), the classic, indispensable study of the sources of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan, John Livingstone Lowes cites a tradition 'that in November, 1668, a Star appear'd below the Body of the Moon, within the horns of it.' This is Cotton Mather in a communication to Mr Waller of the Royal Society, dated at Boston, 1712 November 24, printed under the heading 'An Extract of several letters from Cotton Mather...' in the twenty-ninth volume of the Philosophical Transactions (1714-1716). Possible explanations for this effect are investigated.(3 pp)