John Francis Skjellerup

John Francis Skjellerup ( born May 16, 1875 in Cobden, Victoria ( Australia); † January 6, 1952 in Melbourne) was an Australian astronomer and Telegraph.

The father of John Francis, Peder Jensen Skjellerup was from Denmark and died young, his mother Margaret Williamson was born in England. John Francis himself Frank wanted to be called by their first names. He learned telegraphy and went from Australia to South Africa, as there were needed after the Second Boer War telegraph.

In South Africa, he pursued astronomy and was discoverer and co-discoverer of numerous comets, both in South Africa and Australia. He discovered the periodic comet Grigg - Skjellerup and the very bright comet Skjellerup - Maristany. He also observed variable stars.

John Francis married in 1923 Mary Peterson of South Africa in the same year and went to Australia with her. They had no children.

Discovered comet (selection)

• C/1912 R1 ( Gale ), September 11, 1912
• Pons- Winnecke, October 31, 1915
• C/1919 Y1 ( Skjellerup ), December 19, 1919
• C/1920 X1 ( Skjellerup ), December 11, 1920
• Grigg - Skjellerup, May 16, 1922
• C/1922 W1 ( Skjellerup ), November 26, 1922
• C/1927 X1 ( Skjellerup - Maristany ), November 28, 1927