As the incoming Comet Section Director I would very much like to second Denis’ comments. This is what I posted to the Comet Section mailing list on Thursday:
Following yesterday’s 126th BAA AGM at Burlington House, London, I became the 12th Director of the BAA Comet Section continuing an unbroken line going back to W.F. Denning, the first Director, who was appointed in 1891.
I would like to thank Jonathan for the dedication he has shown to the section as Director. His directorship lasted 25 years so he certainly deserves a break! This duration is second only to Crommelin’s second directorship, a monumental 32 year stint between 1907 and 1939. Jonathan’s knowledge of matters related to comets is more extensive than anyone else I know and I am very pleased that he has agreed to stay on the section committee as visual observations and analysis coordinator.
Becoming the Director of a BAA section carries a great responsibility. I know that have a very hard act to follow and it will take me a while to get used to the new role. I will post more of my thoughts on the future direction of the section shortly but, in the meantime, if you have any comments then please post them here or email me privately.
We all know that comets are wonderfully unpredictable objects which is what makes them so fascinating to observe. Thanks to Jonathan I am taking over a very strong section and I hope to make it stronger still over the next few years.