William A. Bradfield, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

William A. Bradfield

Australian amateur astronomer

Date of Birth: 20-Jun-1927

Place of Birth: Levin, Manawatu-Wanganui Region, New Zealand

Date of Death: 09-Jun-2014

Profession: astronomer, engineer

Nationality: New Zealand

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

William Ashley Bradfield (20 June 1927 – 9 June 2014) was a New Zealand-born Australian amateur astronomer, notable as a prolific amateur discoverer of comets.
He gained a world record by discovering 18 comets, all of which bear his name as the sole discoverer.His astronomical achievements were summed up by Brian G.
Marsden, director emeritus of the IAU's Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams: "To discover 18 comets visually is an extraordinary accomplishment in any era, but to do so now is truly remarkable, and I think we can be pretty sure nobody will be able to do it again.
And it's all the more astounding that in no case did he have to share a discovery with some other independent discoverer.
More than any other recipient, Bill Bradfield outstandingly deserves the Edgar Wilson Award."