will all big comets be predicted now

just looking at this article on bbc news
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6268799.stm

if they predict comets millions of years away, will we know of all big/close comets from now own before they make an appearance. ones that are really striking. if so, when is the next really really bright , rival to halebop kind of comet?

There's a huge difference between predicting A comet and predicting EVERY comet!

This doesn't change the unexpectedness of comets one bit. We can still look forward to spectacular bolts from the blue like Hale-Bopp and McNaught for many years to come!

Bart.

John Flannery has already laid claim to thhis one here !



Trouble is, he won't be around to see "Comet Flannery 1,002,007/A"!

The detection systems are getting better and better. It's getting very difficult for the amateur to spot a new comet as the automated systems are taking over.

So, to answer your question, some comets will slip through the automated survey net, but not many I reckon.

Clear Skies,

That'll be the end of Comets named after humans as well.

We already have "comet IRAS-" and Comet SOHO-etc" .

The human names on comets will disappear.

No more "Schumaker-Levy"s

I think the chances of amateurs spotting any solar system bodies is diminishing. However, there is a silver lining...

With all these new discoveries, it is important to 'get more data'. Its all well and good spotting 50 new asteroids in one night, but what do you know about them? Position - that's all. The need for amateur data is likely to increase - OK its not in terms of new discoveries, but vital all the same.

As mit happens, there has been talk for a while about not naming any more asteroids. Let's hope it stays as 'talk'. The nice thing about asteroid naming is that the discoverer only gets to put their name on one of them...

Dave