Reports from Geisei Observatory <February 18, 2002>

• C/2002 C1 (Ikeya-Zhang)
C/2002 C1 (Ikeya-Zhang) may be a periodic comet. If so, it may be a relatively long periodic comet. The photo taken by Geisei's 60cm telescope on the evening of February 15 shows a clear view of the tail . It was a 1-degree long thin tail in PA 100°. The coma was very bright looking like the globular cluster M13. I wrote a few letters to Mr. Zhang, the co-discoverer, in the Chinese language about 10 years ago. At that time he was searching for comets using a 12cm refractor sitting in a chair with a tall back. The telescope was attached to the chair, something similar to the setup used by Everhart, an American comet hunter. I was moved by the thought that he had finally discovered a comet by that comet seeker. Rewarded by his persistent search, he has now had his name known along with Ikeya. His achievement goes against those critics who believe the era of amateur discoveries has come to an end.

C/2002 C1 (Ikeya-Zhang)
19:10 February 15, 2002
10-minute exposure on TP6415
By Tsutomu Seki with Geisei's 60cm reflector