Mon 09 Feb
|RMG Lecture Theatre
Great Comets and Great Disappointments
by Dr Nick James, Head of Comet Section, BAA Comets are occasional ghostly visitors to our skies and they hold the key to our understanding of the conditions in the early Solar System. DETAILS ON HOW TO BOOK FOR THIS EVENT ARE EMAILED TO MEMBERS IN THE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
Time & Location
09 Feb 2026, 19:15 – 21:00
RMG Lecture Theatre, Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF, UK
About the Event
Synopsis:
Comets are occasional ghostly visitors to our skies and they hold the key to our understanding of the conditions in the early Solar System. They are fascinating objects to observe but their behaviour is very difficult to predict. The very best comets can be spectacular. This talk will cover what makes a comet "Great" and give some examples through history. I'll also cover those cases where comets have not lived up to their early hype and explain why disappointment is more common these days than it was.
Bio:
Nick has been interested in astronomy for as long as he can remember, certainly since the age of 8. He has been a member of the British Astronomical Association since he was 12 and is now the Director of its Comet Section. Nick is also Assistant Editor of The Astronomer Magazine. He has written many articles for magazines and books, and…