Robert Holmes (astronomer)

Robert E. Holmes Jr. (b. 1956 ) is an American amateur astronomer and professional photographer.

In 2002 Holmes founded Astronomical Research Institute (ARI), a non-profit organization offering students observation time from telescopes installed at the Astronomical Research Observatory originally in Charleston, Illinois and later at Westfield, Illinois.

The Minor Planet Center credits him with the discovery of thirteen asteroids made between 2004 and 2010, partly in collaboration with Harlan Devore and Tomáš Vorobjov. In 2008, with 24 inch and 32 inch robotic telescopes at his Charleston observatory that he built himself, Holmes reported 11,593 observations of asteroids and near-earth objects to the Minor Planet Center, more than any other professional or amateur observatory.

Holmes discovered comet C/2008 N1 (Holmes).

The asteroid 5477 Holmes is named for him.