Monthly Meeting 18 February 2026

Great Comets and Great Disappointments

About the Talk

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.

About this month’s speaker

Nick is Director of the Comet Section of the BAA and also Assistant editor of The Astronomer Magazine.

He works in the space industry leading a team responsible for implementing highly sensitive and accurate systems for receiving and processing signals from deep-space spacecraft.

He also a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) ambassador trying to encourage more young people to take up science and engineering as a career.

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Anyone is welcome – beginner or expert – and there is no need to pre-book. A small charge applies to help us cover costs (typically £3 for non-members; £2 for NEAS members; U16s free). Doors open at 7.30pm with the talk starting at 8.00pm.

Note that if you are using satnav system, the postcode may not take you directly to the hall – please check this Google Maps link if you aren’t sure: https://goo.gl/maps/fNxmg9qnAYm

Covid Precautions

• You are encouraged to wear a mask and you are asked to be respectful and sensitive to the medical circumstances of others
• What to do if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) or symptoms of COVID-19
  The NHS says:
  While you’re no longer legally required to self-isolate if you have COVID-19, you should try to stay at home and away from others to avoid passing on the virus.
  Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you:
  • have any symptoms of COVID-19, and have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to go to work or do your normal activities
  • have tested positive for COVID-19 – this means it’s very likely you have the virusFor full details please see https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/
• If you have Covid symptoms and have not taken a test, please do not attend.
• There will be a section of the Hall for exclusively mask wearers. If you are wearing a mask you may of course sit where you want but if you are not wearing a mask do not sit in the masks only area. We have vulnerable people in our club and we want to make our meeting accessible for them.
• We will ventilate the Hall to the best of our ability.