February 2000 <Objects in February>

	(1)The Rosette Nebula Geisei's 60cm reflector is routinely used for research on comets, planets, and other professional purposes with little time left for taking photographs for public appreciation. I aimed at the Rosette Nebula in Monoceros when Orion was sinking in the western sky in Spring. As I failed to give enough exposure time, the petals of the rosette turned out rather faint. 20.00 January 10, 2000 60cm f/3.5 10-minute exposure on Konica 3200 film (Contrast is increased by image processing.)

	(2)NGC 4038 and NGC 4039 While I am taking photos of minor planets and supernovae, I occasionally come across strange-looking objects. This photograph was taken on such an occasion. This is an image of two colliding galaxies in the western part of Corvus (RA: 12h01.9m Dec: 18 d 53 m). It also looks like one galaxy being stretched or two galaxies at different distances appearing in close contact because they are in line of sight. Photos were also taken by a 21cm f/3 astrograph.