Reports from Geisei Observatory <February 21, 2002>

• Photographs of C/2002 C1 (Ikeya-Zhang) and V838 Mon
The color photos of C/2002 C1 (Ikeya-Zhang) and Nova V838 Mon are presented here. The photo of the comet was taken by the 60cm reflector on February 12 with a 3-minute exposure. The shot of the nova was also taken by the 60cm reflector with an 11-minute exposure. The film was Provia 400 for both shots. The reddish color of the nova is interesting.
C/2002 C1 is predicted to brighten a little more in its northward movement, but I do not think it will become brighter than the 5th magnitude. The low western sky is always light-polluted in the evening, which may prevent us from enjoying a good view of the comet. This does not look like a great comet and I wonder if this is the same naked-eye comet seen in the 1500s and 1600s. A photograph of this comet will be presented here in early March again.

C/2002 C1( Ikeya-Zhang )
Evening of February 12 with a 3-minute exposure
By Tsutomu Seki with Geisei's 60cm reflector

Nova V838 Mon
February 12, 2002
11-minute exposure
By Tsutome Seki with Geisei's 60cm reflector