Comets are wonderfully unpredictable objects. The Section covers all aspects of comet observation, both for pleasure and to potentially make a scientific contribution. Visual observations are still very important but making accurate magnitude estimates can be tricky. CCD and DSLR observations offer objective views of comets although analysis of the images can be difficult. In both cases practice and perseverance will pay off and the Section officers can help you climb the learning curve. The increasing use of robotic telescopes at remote locations provides the opportunity to observe comets under better conditions than exist in much of the UK. Non-observers are welcome too and can contribute through research on historical documents or data in libraries and on the internet.
News
- 12P/Pons-Brooks small outburst 2024 Feb 29
2024 Mar 1
Nick James - 12P/Pons-Brooks observing campaign
2024 Feb 4
Nick James - Using the Alnitak Remote Observatory in Spain
2023 Dec 17
Nick James - Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks outbursts continue
2023 Nov 26
Nick James - Comet tail disconnection event predictions
2023 Oct 8
Nick James
Videos
- Greenwich meeting 2023 July 8 - 11 Closing remarks
2023 Dec 17 - Greenwich meeting 2023 July 8 - 10 Alan Fitzsimmons - Exocomets
2023 Dec 17 - Greenwich meeting 2023 July 8 - 09 John Mason - Comets and meteors
2023 Nov 27 - Greenwich Meeting 2023 July 8 - 08 Robin Leadbeater - Dissecting comets using spectroscopy
2023 Nov 19 - Greenwich Meeting 2023 July 8 - 07 Thomas Lehman - Comet magnitude estimation using AIRTOOLS
2023 Nov 19
Section Pages
- Comet prospects for 2024
- Comet related resources
- Comet Section email list
- Comet Section publications
- Comphot comet photometry software
- History of the BAA Comet Section
- Submitting drawings and images to the archive
- The Comet Section archive
- Comet Observers
- Observing Guide
- The Comet's Tale
- MISSION 29P
Section Officers
- Director: Nick James
- Visual Observations and Analysis: Jonathan Shanklin
- Secretary: Denis Buczynski
- TA Liason: Guy Hurst
- CCD Imaging Advisor: Peter Carson
- Newsletter Editor: Janice McClean