Machholz Donald Horoscope

Machholz Donald

Oct 7, 1952

Rating : AA (Data from a birth certificate)

Taurus
Moon Sign

Virgo
Sun Sign

Virgo
Lagan

Remembering Since 2022

Events

Social : Great Publicity 27 August 2004 at 04:12 AM in Colfax, CA (discovered Machholz Comet) chart Placidus Equal_H.

Death:Death by Disease 9 August 2022 (COVID-19, age 69) chart Placidus Equal_H.

Biography

American amateur astronomer who was the leading visual comet discoverer, credited with the visual discovery of 12 comets that bear his name. Machholz spent more than 9,000 hours comet-hunting in a career spanning over 50 years. On 27 August 2004 at 4:12 AM PDT in Colfax, California, he discovered what is now known as the Machholz comet in the constellation Eridanus. According to www.space.com, at the time of its discovery, it was "drifting slowly southeast in the direction of the constellation Lepus." (Comet Machholz was at its closest to earth on 5-6 January 2005 at a distance of 32 million miles.) In 2014, he married photojournalist Michele Machholz and resided in Wikieup, Arizona. He died from COVID-19 on 9 August 2022 at age 69 in his home at Stargazer Ranch, Arizona. Link to Wikipedia biography Read less

Latest Info with AI

Update at: Jul 17, 2025

`` Donald Machholz (1952-2022)

Donald Edward Machholz (1952-2022)

Donald Machholz, born October 7, 1952, in Portsmouth, Virginia, and passed away August 9, 2022, was a renowned amateur astronomer and comet hunter. He gained international recognition for his visual discoveries of comets, achieving remarkable success without the aid of automated search programs. His dedication and keen observational skills led to the discovery of 12 comets, a significant achievement in modern astronomy.

While specific social media details for Donald Machholz are not readily available, information regarding his work and legacy can be found through various astronomy organizations and publications. He was a highly respected member of the amateur astronomy community and actively contributed to the field throughout his life. His comet discoveries, including Comet Machholz (C/1986 P1, also known as 96P/Machholz 1) which has an orbital period of just over 5 years, remain important subjects of ongoing astronomical study.

Machholz was known for his meticulous observing logs and dedicated comet hunting programs. He embraced visual observation techniques and developed his own strategies for systematically scanning the skies. He championed the role of amateur astronomers in making significant contributions to scientific discovery. His book, "Searching for Comets," detailed his methods and inspired many aspiring amateur astronomers.

In addition to his comet hunting, Machholz was involved in various astronomical projects, including asteroid searches and meteor shower observations. His long-term commitment to visual astronomy made him a unique figure in an era increasingly dominated by automated telescopes. He was deeply committed to public outreach and education, often sharing his passion for astronomy with audiences of all ages.

Resources for learning more about Donald Machholz and his contributions to astronomy include online astronomical databases, scientific journals, and articles published by astronomy organizations. His legacy continues to inspire amateur astronomers and exemplifies the significant role individuals can play in advancing scientific knowledge.

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