Possible discovery - Logged with BAA minor planets and comet sections

[DarkerSky]

Fingers crossed for you Nick. Regardless of what happens you have put amateur astronomy and telescopes like the FT in the public eye. Companies would pay millions to get the publicity you've managed to get for UK astronomy. Well done for being a great ambasador for amateurs everywhere

[skye at night]

Playground common sense and principles would suggest to me that whoever publicly 'declared' first was the true 'discoverer..

'Finders-Keepers" as they say! is only fair.

Steve

[NickH]

I have to be professional about this. if indeed they have secretly found it first and logged the correct data with the powers that be then it's out of my hands, and at the mercy of the IAU

[NickH]

BBC national news now

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment

[James]

"while accessing a telescope in Hawaii over the internet while at work.... "

If you were in my last job at a local authority I'd be saying you're so busted!!

Nice one Nick

James

[NickH]

That's the ONLY thing wrong in the press release (which FT have tried to correct) I was actually off sick at home that day, laptop (netbook) on my lap on the sofa, watching crappy daytime TV in the background, using FT...and running a basic DDP on the data...

and work know I use FT at work, I usually have time scheduled during my lunch hour

[NickH]

And as usual , the Daily Mail (whom I have not spoken to) have got it completely and utterly wrong...lost count how many facts they had made up/got wrong

[stuming]

I have to be professional about this. if indeed they have secretly found it first and logged the correct data with the powers that be then it's out of my hands, and at the mercy of the IAU

That may be true Nick, and it would be a shame if this was taken away, but to most people the fact that the BBC and other media have written that you found it, it's probably pretty much wrapped up the their minds.

Stu

[NickH]

Well, the scientist in me says it has to be done right.. and if they do get it, then I applaud them for being both methodical and professional. I have lots to learn, and this experience is a big big learning curve, helped along by some terrific people

[iamjulian]

And as usual , the Daily Mail (whom I have not spoken to) have got it completely and utterly wrong...lost count how many facts they had made up/got wrong

let me guess, they are saying you discovered the comet and some illegal immigrants have blown it into several bits.

Hope you get the official credit. If two people come up with the same discovery independently, then it shouldn't be a case of who was first, it should be co-discovered. You're certainly the one getting all the plaudits at the moment. Remember that episode of Father Ted: That gobshite again! Is he never off the air?!

[NickH]

ROFL...

Well, Discovery Channel are airing a show tonight in Canada featuring it/me

And that I guess will go out to a French speaking audience too

[NickH]

Daily Mail article is creating furious debate, which I expected, as per usual, they have got everything wrong.. I have had to (wash my hands) email them with corrections and also log on (wash my hands again) to their forum and also make corrections

Amazing how everyone else can get it almost perfectly right, and that rag gets it all so so wrong

[Jaffa007]

Just been reading the Mail report...... interesting reading .

[NickH]

NIce way of putting it. They did it to Greg and Noel, they did it to Peter Shah...it's amazing how they just want to dumb down everything

[NickH]

For anyone who wants to follow the fun...here's the link to the comet position

http://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/~jds/07q3.eq

I am imaging in my lunch break today again using FTN. All systems go right now, with clear skies over Hawaii

SGL (after FT and Astronomy Now) will have the latest images. You guys have really been so so supportive...thank you all..

IAU contacted me again last night for clarification on one set of observations, so I have not given up hope that I get at least joint discovery

[yeti monster]

I'm sure that I'm not alone when I say that I am honoured to be able to witness and follow the unravelling of this discovery Nick.

[NickH]

The real press release is here

A cracked comet | Faulkes Telescope Project

The only thing is that it should say "the first published images" as I believe Pic Du MIDI may have imaged it a day or so earlier, but didn't go live with any result

[Psychobilly]

Just read the "Deadly Maul" article and the comments...

A few questions ... Does it tear into squares easily and how "fast" is the ink....

Thanks for keeping us updated NicK

Billy...

[NickH]

Is it in the paper itself? or just online?

[Space Bat]

:mad:That is just CARP Nick

You are displaying a great deal of dignity on this - for what obviously is a bunch of Horse...

You discovered it - you did the post analysis and got people in gear...etc

[NickH]

Well, I have a science background...that's how I was trained, and how in professional life you should be. I lose my rag from time to time online etc.. and tell it how it is, but when a professional observatory, with people that have been imaging comets for decades comes along.. and says they imaged it first (albeit without telling anyone), then I must accept until the IAU say otherwise, that this may be the case.

What it's done though, is show that amateurs can still make a difference, and has brought astronomy into the headlines again, for the right reasons. It's massively increased the exposure for Faulkes, which is a great thing, as they are a terrific group of people, who manage and run a terrific resource for kids (just watching a school in Australia imaging a big NGC object...)

[Space Bat]

Hmmm a professional body just so happened to discover something - forgetting to tell people the fact...

It doesn't stack up...I find it incredulous that they wouldn't have reported this and made a statement along the lines of today we have discovered what appears to be the fragmentation of the comet and are currently providing astrometric data to confirm this.

Anyway....I am sure I can speak for many on SGL that this discovery belongs to you.

Chris

[NickH]

Well, they claim to have submitted to the IAU (whcih I don't doubt) but that the email got lost in the ether... or that they have been "blacklisted" email wise...

I am not sure, but Pic Du MIDI is a professional observatory and I have no doubt at all that the team there are doing the right thing as well and good work

[daz]

This is tremendously exciting Nick - even if you don't get the credit you deserve, WE know the work you have put in!

[Jaffa007]

Still following this. And would like to second Daz's comment as well as others. That in our eyes, we know YOU claimed it first

And that alone deserves this forum's & the UK's respect!