Hi guys,

Im a complete amateur with astronomy (everything I know was from books and my own logic), so excuse the naivety and lack of know how in the scene of popular astronomy! But onto the topic..

Is there some sort of published list of all known comets/astroids/etc. out there I can read? preferably without paying a tonne.

I spotted something that looks like a comet in the constellation of capricornus the other week, and I could easily post my location and the rest of it and have someone here work it out for me. But I'd rather learn and do it myself.

Any help/direction/tips would be appreciated

Cheers
Flik-it

I'm interested too. Most asteroids are very small and hard to find. I've had luck with one or two. Comets are easier but come around less often.

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"I will do my best to understand and explain the universe from big to small without invoking miracles, unrepeatable events, or divine intervention. In place of those things I will use observations, mathematics, and science."


-Cross
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Some of my Astrophotography


Those that lack education have a hard time understanding its value. - Cross

flik-it. Good for you wanting to learn...try:http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/NEO/TheNEOPage.html

pete

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A third rate theory forbids
A second rate theory explains after the fact
A first rate theory predicts...A. Lomonosov

One good, large, free list can be found at the Minor Planet Center's website:

http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/iau/MPCORB.html


Sounds like you need to get yourself a planetarium program. There are many good ones, some expensive, some not. Starry Night, Stellarium, Carte du Ciel ... just do a little searching online, or read through a recent issue of Sky and Telescope or Astronomy magazine.

Starry Night really helped me as I was learning.

__________________
"I will do my best to understand and explain the universe from big to small without invoking miracles, unrepeatable events, or divine intervention. In place of those things I will use observations, mathematics, and science."


-Cross
My travel blog

Some of my Astrophotography


Those that lack education have a hard time understanding its value. - Cross

Spot on,

Cheers for the direction and advice guys.

flik-it

Great links.