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November 2002

• November 26, 2002 This is the time when Canopus is best seen from Geisei Observatory. I aimed the 100mm lens at the star, while working in the dome where the 60cm reflector was installed. It is an advantage of being at southern latitudes that we can even see faint stars south of Canopus. C/2001 Q4 (LINEAR), which is expected to brighten in May 2004, was captured at -41 degrees south at magnitude 15, at the predicted brightness.
Canopus from Geisei Observatory
• November 19, 2002 This is the peak time for the Leonid meteor shower, but there is moonlight. While I was watching the eastern sky at the rooftop of my house, I could not see any bright meteors. After 5 am Venus rose high over Mt.Hitsuzan. The sky was unusually transparent sky over the city.
Venus over Mt.Hitsuzan
• November 10, 2002 I saw a bright first-magnitude meteor (surely a Leonid) streaking to the west from the Leonid's radiant, when I was watching the sky near Leo at 2.25 in the morning. And until dawn I saw another two faint meteors. They might have "jumped the gun." Or is it a sign of an impending good shower for this year ? Shall I watch the Leonid shower in the pre-dawn sky on November 19, with my back turned to the full moon ?

• November 26, 2002
This is the time when Canopus is best seen from Geisei Observatory. I aimed the 100mm lens at the star, while working in the dome where the 60cm reflector was installed. It is an advantage of being at southern latitudes that we can even see faint stars south of Canopus. C/2001 Q4 (LINEAR), which is expected to brighten in May 2004, was captured at -41 degrees south at magnitude 15, at the predicted brightness.

Canopus from Geisei Observatory

• November 19, 2002
This is the peak time for the Leonid meteor shower, but there is moonlight. While I was watching the eastern sky at the rooftop of my house, I could not see any bright meteors. After 5 am Venus rose high over Mt.Hitsuzan. The sky was unusually transparent sky over the city.

Venus over Mt.Hitsuzan

• November 10, 2002
I saw a bright first-magnitude meteor (surely a Leonid) streaking to the west from the Leonid's radiant, when I was watching the sky near Leo at 2.25 in the morning. And until dawn I saw another two faint meteors. They might have "jumped the gun." Or is it a sign of an impending good shower for this year ? Shall I watch the Leonid shower in the pre-dawn sky on November 19, with my back turned to the full moon ?