Josep Comas Sola Spanish astronomer of the 20th century Date of Birth: 19.12.1868 Country: Spain

Biography of Josep Comas i Solà

Josep Comas i Solà was a Spanish astronomer of the 20th century. He was known as the discoverer of comets and asteroids and worked at the Fabra Observatory. From 1915 to 1930, he discovered a total of 11 asteroids[1]. In addition, he was also the first to discover the short-period comet 32P/Comas Solà and the long-period comet C/1925 F1.

Comas Solà studied at the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at the University of Barcelona, which he graduated from in 1889. In the same year, he began observing Mars, a practice he continued during subsequent oppositions of the planet. As a result, in 1894, the astronomer created a map of Mars. He then turned his attention to other planets and, in 1902, determined the rotation period of Saturn.

Between 1915 and 1930, Comas Solà founded and served as the first director of the Fabra Observatory, which is part of the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona. Many of his works focused on planets and comets. In 1907, Comas Solà was the first to discover the atmosphere on Saturn's moon Titan. He noticed that the edges of the moon were darker than the center. By observing changes in bright spots, he concluded that they could be clouds in the atmosphere. This was later confirmed by Gerard Kuiper in 1944.

Comas Solà was the first president of the Astronomical Society of Spain and America, which currently exists as the Spanish Astronomical Society (SEA). Two asteroids discovered by him were named after him: (1102) Pepita (named after his informal name, Pepito), and (1655) Comas Solà. Additionally, an asteroid named (986) Amelia, discovered in 1921, was named in honor of the astronomer's wife.