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Cometography is a multi-volume catalog of every comet observed from ancient times up to the 1990s, when the internet took off as a medium of scientific record. It uses the most reliable orbits known to determine the distances from the Earth and Sun at the time of discovery and last observation, as well as the largest and smallest angular distance to the Sun, most northerly and southerly declination, closest distance to the Earth, and other details, to enable the reader to understand each comet's physical appearance.
Volume 6, the final volume in the catalog, covers the observations and pertinent calculations for every comet seen between 1983 and 1993. The comets are listed in chronological order, with complete references to publications relating to each comet and physical descriptions of each comet's development throughout its apparition. Cometography is the definitive reference on comets through the ages, for astronomers and historians of science.
- Introduction
- Acknowledgements
- Catalog of comets
- Appendix 1. Uncertain objects
- Appendix 2. Periodical abbreviations
- Index
Gary Kronk has held a life-long passion for astronomy, and has been researching historical information on comets ever since sighting Comet Kohoutek in 1973/4. His work has been published in numerous magazines, and in two previous books: Comets: A Descriptive Catalog (1984) and Meteor Showers: A Descriptive Catalog (1988). Kronk holds positions in various astronomical societies, including Coordinator of the Comet Section of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, and Consultant for the American Meteor Society. The International Astronomical Union named minor planet 48300 Kronk in honor of the extensive research Gary Kronk has done in cometography.
Maik Meyer has observed comets since 1987. Besides comet observing, he is researching cometary orbits in order to link and identify historic comet apparitions. His speciality area is the history of comet hunting. In 2002, he discovered the Meyer group of sunskirting comets. Meyer was leader of the Comet Section of the German Vereinigung der Sternfreunde and served as assistant editor of the International Comet Quarterly (ICQ). The International Astronomical Union named minor planet 52005 Maik in honor of his research work in comets.
David Seargent studied and tutored philosophy at the University of Newcastle, New South Wales, and has written books and articles covering a variety of subjects. He has been an amateur astronomer since his early teens, with comets being his principal interest. Seargent directed the Australian Comet Section from early 1980s until early 2000s and acted as visual co-ordinator for Australia of International Halley Watch 1985/6. He is the discoverer of C/1978 T1 (Seargent).
