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Thames astronomer John Grigg discovered his first comet in July 1902.

Behind a piano shop on Pollen St in Thames, John Grigg built an observatory that would later be used to locate his first comet.

Two more comet discoveries followed, and after more than 100 years, Grigg's astronomical achievements with the stars are still being acknowledged on Earth.

Grigg was born in London on June 4, 1838 and moved to Thames in 1867, at the height of the gold rush.

He relocated his observatory - equipped with a resolving roof - to his home in Queen St, where he discovered his first comet in July, 1902.

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A centenary making the death of John Grigg will be held in Thames this weekend.

At that time, very few explorers of comets had performed the triple task of making the original discovery, securing good observations of position, and computing an orbit.

No one at that time saw Grigg's comet, and it was not until it returned in 1922 and was rediscovered by Frank Skjellerup in South Africa that the accuracy of his observing and computing enabled the two discoveries to be recognised as one-of-the-same.

It is officially known as Comet 1902 II P/GriggSkjellerup.

In 1903, Grigg discovered his second comet, known as Comet 1903 III Grigg, and in 1907, he discovered another comet, confirmed by U.S. astronomer John Mellish 5 days later. It is known as 1907 II GriggMellish.

Throughout the years, Grigg was awarded the Donahue Medal of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society of England.

He photographed Halleys Comet when Earth passed through its tail in 1910.

Waikato-Times

Former Congregational Church/Thames Baptist Church, Mary Street, Thames.

The keen musician also composed a piece of music which quickly became a "national anthem", called My Own New Zealand Home.

It was sung at a number of civic functions, including the opening of the Thames-Paeroa railway line.

Griggs' great-granddaughter Dorothy Finlay said that while Grigg would be remembered for many of his feats, his morals were held in high regard.

"He'll always be known more for his integrity. He was a leader," she said.

Grigg died in Thames on June 20, 1920, at the age of 82, and on the centenary of his death, his family are holding a memorial service in the Thames Baptist Church.

Commencing at 10am on Saturday, June 20, the gathering is open to all interested.

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Comet finder and 'national anthem' composer to be remembered 100 years after death - Stuff.co.nz