Edwin Alfred Holmes (1839–1919) was an English amateur astronomer who is best
remembered as the discoverer of Comet 17P/Holmes.
Amateur Astronomer
Edwin Holmes was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, in 1839. He later moved to London where he worked as a seller of glass.
His targets included double stars.
Holmes was a regular contributor to the British Astronomical Association and to the magazine The English Mechanic and World of Science. He became well known for his letters to the English Mechanic, often robustly criticising the opinions of other amateur astronomers, occasionally causing controversy.
In particular, he argued for the use of reflecting telescopes in preference to refractors of similar cost.
The comet remained visible to the unaided eye for another three weeks until it faded away. 75 days later the comet once again brightened to naked-eye visibility.
Holmes was later awarded the Donohoe Comet Medal of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.
He was appointed an associate of the Astronomical Society of Wales, a form of honorary membership.