Comet section overview

Nick James
Director:
Nick James

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 Non-observers are welcome too and can contribute through research on historical documents or data in libraries and on the internet.

  • MISSION 29P
  • Comet Section publications
  • Comet Section email list
  • The Comet Section archive
  • Submitting drawings and images to the archive
  • Comet prospects for 2025
  • Comphot comet photometry software
  • Observing Guide
  • Comet related resources
  • Comet Observers
  • The Comet's Tale
  • History of the BAA Comet Section
  • The British Astronomical Association supports amateur astronomers around the UK and the rest of the world. Find out more about the BAA or join us.