THE PASSING OF BRIAN MARSDEN (key figure in attending to the discovery of new comets and asteroids.)

On Nov. 18th, astronomers around the world were saddened to learn that Brian Marsden died. Best known as the long-time director of the Minor Planet Center, Marsden was for decades a key figure in attending to the discovery of new comets and asteroids. He was particularly fascinated by the family of Kreutz comets, and made important contributions to the understanding of their dynamics and history. Today's bright disintegration of a Kreutz sungrazer is a fitting send-off for this eminent astronomer.