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  • Biography
  • Visual Comet Discoveries
    • Comet C/2018 V1 (Machholz-Fujikawa-Iwamoto)
    • March 28, 2010
    • August 27, 2004
    • Comet Machholz 1994r
    • 141P/Machholz
    • Comet Nakamura-Nishimura-Machholz 1994m
    • Comet Machholz 1992k
    • March 31, 1992
    • August 6, 1988
    • May 12, 1986
    • May 27, 1985
    • September 12, 1978
  • Messier Marathon History
  • Award and Citations
  • StarChair 3000
  • Looking Up with Don Podcast
DON MACHHOLZ
THE COMET HUNTER

Search Sequence

Donald Machholz

LUWD #0011 – Star Parties, Zodiacal Light, and the Messier Marathon

2020-03-17
By: Donald Machholz
On: March 17, 2020

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Donald Machholz

LUWD #0010 – Electric Socks, Three Comets and the Messier Marathon

2020-03-09
By: Donald Machholz
On: March 9, 2020

Electric Socks, Three Comets and the Messier MarathonContinue Reading

Donald Machholz

LUWD #0009 – Astronomy Clubs, Messier Marathon Search Sequence

2020-03-03
By: Donald Machholz
On: March 3, 2020

Astronomy clubs, Betelgeuse, Messier Marathon Search SequenceContinue Reading

Donald Machholz

LUWD #0008 – Messier Marathon Search Sequence

2020-02-25
By: Donald Machholz
On: February 25, 2020

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Donald Machholz

LUWD #0007 – The Pleiades and the Messier Marathon Search Sequence

2020-02-17
By: Donald Machholz
On: February 17, 2020

Pleiades, Messier Marathon Search SequenceContinue Reading

Donald Machholz

LUWD #0006 – A Comet Hunting Theory and the Messier Marathon Search Sequence

2020-02-10
By: Donald Machholz
On: February 10, 2020

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LUWD #0005 – Cell Phone Lunar Photography, Almach, Star Colors, Messier Marathon

2020-02-03
By: Donald Machholz
On: February 3, 2020

Cell phone lunar photography and Messier Marathon Search Sequence.Continue Reading

Welcome Astronomers

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Stargazer Arizona Observatory

Donald Edward Machholz

is an American amateur astronomer, who is number one in the world for visual comet discoveries. Credited with the discovery of 12 comets, that include the periodic comets 96P/Machholz, 141P/Machholz, the non-periodic C/2004 Q2 (Machholz) that were visible with binoculars in the northern sky in 2004 and 2005, C/2010 F4 (Machholz), and most recently C/2018 V1 (Machholz-Fujikawa-Iwamoto) [1][2] In 1985, comet Machholz 1985-e, was discovered using a homemade cardboard telescope with a wide aperture, 10 inches across, that gave it a broader field of view than most commercial telescopes.[3] Amateur astronomer Machholz utilizes a variety of methods in his comet discoveries, in 1986 using 29×130 binoculars he discovered 96P/Machholz.[4]

Machholz is considered to be one of the inventors of the Messier marathon, which is a race to observe all the Messier objects in a single night.

Homemade 29×130 Binoculars

The homemade binoculars I used to discover #96p, 2 deg S of M31. The song, “Against All Odds” by Phil Collins was playing on the radio.

Believing in Comets

Believing is what keeps this visual comet discoverer going. Don talks via Skype to Michigan astronomy enthusiasts. Thanks @headlandsstars pic.twitter.com/oaAJ9mVOaL

— Donald Machholz (@cometmachholz) July 29, 2017

Interviews with Don Machholz

Observers Notebook- The Official ALPO Podcast · The Observers Notebook- Comet 2018 V1 with Don Machholz

Strangest Comet Ever Found!

Comet 96P/Machholz "Strangest comet ever found," Bob Berman @Slooh @willgater Next perihelion: October 27, 2017 pic.twitter.com/UmkSYdQOQw

— Donald Machholz (@cometmachholz) August 1, 2017

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