Albert Francis Arthur Lofley Jones, DSc., OBE, FRAS, FRASNZ (1920-2013)

2016 March 22

John Toone

Albert Jones is the most prolific variable star observer in the history of observational astronomy, and few involved in this important branch of work would question his unofficial title of the greatest visual observer of variable stars of all time. This assessment is based on the fact that by the time he ceased observing in 2011, he had generated approximately 180,000 more high quality visual observations than any other individual observer. In addition, he was the first observer to attain the demanding milestones of 200,000 and 300,000 observations, and the only person (up to 2015) to have reached the coveted milestones of 400,000 and 500,000 observations. By 2015 only four other observers had made even half of Albert Jones’ total. His data, discoveries, dedication, endurance and overall achievements are quite extraordinary and this is recognised by all those involved in variable star work, both professional and amateur, over the past fifty years.
    This paper is a summary biographical account of the life and work of Albert Jones. It was presented at the meeting of the British Astronomical Association Variable Star Section (BAA VSS) held in York on 2014 June 21.

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