International Comet Quarterly

Comet Observations and Comet Observing

This is the world's primary website for information on observing comets. First, check out the main ICQ Comet Information page at http://www.icq.eps.harvard.edu/icq.html for general information on comets, with some emphasis on observing comets photometrically, with lots of links to our other pages regarding reporting astrometry and discoveries of comets, ephemerides and orbital elements for comets, etc.

See also our Index, or consult the list below (which includes many aids to comet observing):

• Observable Comets
• Dates of Last Observation Of Currently-Observable Comets (Important note)
• Recent Comet Magnitude Estimates
• Glossary of Comet Terms

Printed resources:

• International Comet Quarterly
• ICQ annual Comet Handbook
• Catalogue of Cometary Orbits
• other electronic resources (links)

Think you've possibly discovered a comet?

• How to Report a Comet Discovery
• Information to Include in Discovery Reports
• (More) How to Report Discovery
• How/When to Submit CCD Images in Support of a Discovery Claim

Comet designations and names

• Designations Assigned in the Past Year
• Periodic Comet Codes
  • In Alphabetical Order
  • In Numerical Order
• Correspondence of Old- and New-Style Designations
• Primer on Comet Naming and Designation
• Notes on the Comet Designation System

Lists and Plots regarding Comets

• Close Approaches to the Earth
• Closest Approaches to the Earth
• Orbit Diagrams for Comets
• Listing of Centaur-type objects
• Plot of Outer Solar System
• Thoughts on why the term "Kuiper Belt" is inappropriate for TNOs.
• Thoughts on the Status of Pluto.

Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) Press Information Sheet

• Special note on the 1993 observation of C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp)

Further reading:

Green, D. W. E., ed. (1997). ICQ Guide to Observing Comets.

Index to the CBAT/MPC/ICQ pages.