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In 2018 July the authors visited the Lowell Observatory for five nights, primarily to make observations of Mars and Saturn. In this paper we give a short introduction to the history of the observatory and present observations of these two planets, made using the 24-inch Clark refractor.

In this report, observations of the brighter or more interesting comets at perihelion during 2017 are described and analysed, concentrating on those visually observed. Magnitude parameters are given for all comets with observations. Any evolution in the magnitude parameters of those periodic comets with multiple returns is discussed. Additional information on the comets discussed here, and on other comets seen or at perihelion during the year, may be found on the Section visual observations web pages.

This paper compares the BAA white-light measurements made during Solar Cycle 24. The main purpose is to assess whether there are any differences in the recorded long-term characteristics of solar activity for observers who determine the number of groups, the sunspot number and/or the BAA quality number (based on type of group). A comparison is also performed between the International Sunspot Number and the BAA sunspot number.