Cometary Science Laboratory and Archive

Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams

The CSL Comet Information Website

Primary and secondary information on comets and observing comets:

The Cometary Science Laboratory (CSL) and Archive -- called the Cometary Science Center (CSC) when formed during 2008-2009 at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and renamed the CSL when moved to Harvard in 2010 -- is being developed as a central archive and website for all things regarding comets. The goal is to eventually have a separate webpage devoted to every comet observed in history, with the project design being to work back from the present into the past. Current team members designing, creating, supporting, and advising the CSL/CSC include Daniel W. E. Green, Carl W. Hergenrother, Brian G. Marsden, Zdenek Sekanina, Steve Larson, Karl Battams, Syuichi Nakano, and Michael Rudenko. The CSL/CSC uses computers generously supplied by the Tamkin Foundation.

Prototype CSL/CSC webpages have been created for the following recent comets of significant interest. They are in rapid development, so check back often to look for new features.

The CSL/A is soliciting images from observers for all of the comets listed above and for all new comets as they are discovered. The intention is to quickly get new webpages up here for each new comet when the announcement of discovery is made. Instructions for contributors of comet images can be found here..

Additional information on comets (and related phenomena):

Click here for recent news regarding comets.

Astronomical headlines from the publications of the CBAT and MPC regarding comets and other objects.

This is a key place to begin looking for useful and accurate information regarding news, observations, images, orbital data, designations and names, and good links regarding comets and related topics. (Quick aids: Site map 1/Site map 2)

Currently-observable comets: ephemerides, elements, and links to magnitude estimates
- The most recent observation of each recently observed comet (see these notes).
- Recent comet magnitude estimates
The brightest comets seen since 1935.
- The brightest comets of the last two centuries: John Bortle's "Bright-Comet Chronicles".
Primer on Comet Names, Comet Designations, Comet Nomenclature
- Correspondence of Old- and New-Style Designations
- Permanent periodic-comet numbers (new-style), in alphabetical order (including the old name-numerals) or in numerical order (without the old name-numerals)
Recent comets noted to have split
Observing comets, and observations of comets
- Brief introduction to comet magnitudes/photometry
  - Definition of comet "magnitude"
- How to Report a Comet Discovery
Lists and Plots regarding Comets
Glossary of comet and astronomical terms

What is the Cometary Science Archive?

What is The International Comet Quarterly?

Recommended links to other Websites that contain useful and original comet (and some meteor) material/information
- Information on atmospheric fireballs (bright meteors) and meteorites
- Information on the scourge of light pollution, and what you can do to help make the sky a better place to view comets in! Some pages were produced and made available here because of the prominence of this problem to cometary observers.
Recommended publications to general information on comets
Eclipse Central, information on eclipses of the sun and moon.
Teaching about comets, meteors, minor planets, the solar system, and astronomical discovery in the classroom, and learning assets for pupils/students

About This Service

Here are credits and a user-feedback form.

Further information is available via e-mail from icq(at)cfa.harvard.edu

Central Bureau for Astro. Tel.	Cometary Science Archive	International Comet Quarterly
Minor Planet Center	Origins/Harvard	EPS/Harvard