Reports from Geisei Observatory <June 8, 2006>

C/2004 B1 (LINEAR) and 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3

    The following are the recent observations of C/2004 B1 (LINEAR). Although they include the observations previously reported here, all the results below will be sent to MPC. This comet is clearly detectable at about 15th magnitude near the zenith at midnight.

    CK04B010   2006 05 20.69826 18 41 31.50 +15 22 12.7          12.7 T      372
    CK04B010   2006 05 20.71076 18 41 28.69 +15 22 47.3                      372
    CK04B010   2006 05 21.71424 18 37 45.25 +16 07 51.7                      372
    CK04B010   2006 05 21.71736 18 37 44.60 +16 08 02.3                      372
    CK04B010   2006 05 24.73229 18 26 15.15 +18 19 20.6          14.5 T      372
    CK04B010   2006 05 24.73611 18 26 14.31 +18 19 32.1                      372
    CK04B010   2006 05 31.66111 17 58 38.39 +22 49 36.7                      372
    CK04B010   2006 06 02.66389 17 50 30.72 +23 57 42.1          14.9 T      372
    CK04B010   2006 06 02.67361 17 50 28.31 +23 58 01.6                      372
    CK04B010   2006 06 06.71389 17 34 09.22 +25 59 53.3          14.7 T      372

    As for Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, its nucleus C was visible at 11th magnitude in the 20cm refractor at 60x at 3:30 am on June 7. However, nucleus B was not visible and a short time-exposure could not capture it. It was at about 10 degrees above the horizon, very low indeed.