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Reports from Geisei Observatory <July 16, 2006>


A photograph of Comet Barnard 2, which has returned after 117 years; observational data of 99P/Kowal 1; and C/2004 B1 (LINEAR)

    A photograph of Comet Barnard 2, which has returned after 117 years; observational data of 99P/Kowal 1; and C/2004 B1 (LINEAR)

    Very hot weather, indicative of the end of the rainy season, has been with us since July 13. This year's rainy season seems to have ended earlier than usual. Intense summer heat makes the temperatures inside the dome rise as high as 35 degrees C. In weather like this physical strength is essential for continuing observation.

    Barnard 2 was observed visually with the 20cm refractor. AT 22.00 the total magnitude was 12.5 and the diffused coma was 2.5' in diameter without a central condensation. Barnard might have seen a faint glow like this in 1889. One hundred and seventeen years later, the great comet is shining overhead. I have revered Dr. Barnard throughout my observing life as a supreme observer, almost a god-like figure to me. I was happy and thrilled by seeing this comet as the glow of his soul.

    The two Japanese astronomers, Mr. Issei Yamamoto and Mr. Masamitsu Yamasaki, had the opportunity to meet Dr. Barnard. Mr. Yamasaki learned the method of comet searching from him. Mr. Yamamoto was at the bedside of Dr. Barnard at the time of his death with the famous astronomer Dr. Van Biesbroeck. Dr. Barnard is said to have muttered "I want to see the night sky one more time" before he breathed his last. The soul of this great astronomer is now shining in the summer night sky.

    I urge you to observe this comet which has returned after 117 years. It will brighten by one magnitude by the end of July.
0099P          2006 04 21.51042 11 06 47.45 +08 55 26.2          18.3 T      372
0099P          2006 04 21.52951 11 06 47.24 +08 55 26.4                      372
0177P          2006 07 14.52361 17 10 48.54 +01 37 32.0          15.3 T      372
0177P          2006 07 14.52951 17 10 48.06 +01 38 06.9                      372
0177P          2006 07 15.53472 17 09 27.47 +03 17 58.8                      372
0177P          2006 07 15.53993 17 09 27.10 +03 18 28.5                      372
0177P          2006 07 15.54444 17 09 26.67 +03 18 55.7                      372
0177P          2006 07 15.55035 17 09 26.09 +03 19 30.5          14.6 T      372
    CK04B010   2006 07 03.59375 16 06 06.92 +31 38 18.1          15.2 T      372
    CK04B010   2006 07 15.52118 15 43 23.83 +31 25 28.8          15.2 T      372


Click on the image for a larger image (70KB)

6-minute exposure from 21:31 on July 14, 2006
60cm reflector, Acros 100 film


Copyright (C) 2006 Tsutomu Seki.