Requirements for Success

Equipment and Observing Aids

• Short focal length telescope or large binoculars, at least of 125mm aperture with wide angle fields.
• Altazimuth mounting to support the telescope or binoculars -- allows the observer to observe in comfort for 1 to 2 hours or more.
• A copy of Wil Tirion's Sky Atlas 2000 -- the black stars, etc on white background version is preferred.
• Information on the location of current periodic comets and recently discovered comets.

Environment

• Access to dark cloudless skies away from sources of light pollution and air pollution.
• Access to sites free from public interaction.
• Access to sites which have a predictable local weather pattern.

Effort

• Spend at least 100 hours, preferably 200 hours spread throughout the year, covering both evening and morning searches.

General Comments for Beginners

• It is not necessary to have an encyclopedic knowledge of the many diffuse objects in the sky.
• Identification of a new comet requires detection of motion against a star field.
• It is advisable to find out from your local astronomy club how to quickly report a discovery.

Reference

• Anyone contemplating comet hunting is advised to consult "The Cambridge Guide to Astronomical Discovery" by William Liller, published by Cambridge University Press, 1992.