Donald Machholz

Donald Edward Mach Wood ( born October 7, 1952 in Portsmouth, Virginia) is an American amateur astronomer who lives in Colfax, California.

Mach wood ( of professional opticians ) had discovered the end of 2004 a total of ten comets, including periodic comets 96P/Machholz and 141P/Machholz.

, Making it one of the most successful " comet hunters ".

Most comets discovered so far William Bradfield (16 discoveries ), followed by Antonin Mrkos (11 discoveries ).

In August 2004, he discovered the non-periodic " comets Mach wood " with the official designation C/2004 Q2 2004/2005 on the northern night sky with binoculars in winter / spring - at times even with the naked eye - was visible. For this discovery he was awarded in June 2005 Edgar Wilson Award awarded.

Mach was wood also known as a supporter of the idea of ​​organizing Messier Marathon. This one looks at all 110 objects in a foggy night that summed up the French astronomer Charles Messier in his catalog. Do this wood wrote the book The Observing Guide to the Messier Marathon; A Handbook and Atlas.

  • Astronomer ( 20th century)
  • Astronomer ( 21st century)
  • Americans
  • Born in 1952
  • Man
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