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This report describes and analyses observations of the brighter or more interesting comets discovered or at perihelion during 2005.

BAA observations between 1995 April and 1996 February are reviewed. Highlights of the apparition were observations of the phenomena of the triple ring-plane crossings by the Earth and the ring-plane crossing of the Sun, the results of which show that the predicted times were correct to within a few hours. Transits and shadow transits of Titan, Rhea, Dione and Tethys were observed. Several mutual satellite events were also observed, either visually or by means of CCD cameras. White spot activity could again be followed in the planet’s northern Equatorial Zone (EZ), though it was much reduced from 1994-’95: the long-enduring white spot (WS1) had survived solar conjunction and continued to move with a rotation period close to 10h 22m, as did another short-lived feature…

In 1839, Ebenezer Porter Mason (1819-1840) produced detailed drawings of the Omega Nebula (M17), the Trifid Nebula (M20) and the eastern part of the Veil Nebula. This paper reviews his life and his observations, comparing his results with those of the modern amateur astronomer.

The semiregular variable Z UMa experienced a particularly deep minimum at the end of 2014 March, followed by a three-month rise to maximum.

A brief note in relation to a strange lighting effect captured during sunrise over the Cichus-Weiss region of the Moon by Thomas Gwyn Empy Elger in 1888. A comparable observation made by the author in 2009 is discussed and assessed against recent CCD imagery. These comparisons confirm that the effect which led to Elger’s report is repeated under comparable conditions, and his original hypothesis in relation to the nature of the feature can now be clarified.