Comet

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 Non-observers are welcome too and can contribute through research on historical documents or data in libraries and on the internet.