Reports from Geisei Observatory <October 21, 2003>

Comet Ikeya-Seki passed perihelion this day in 1965. While it was raining I reminisced that clear autumn night 38 years ago. I still think that Dr. Rigollet's prediction is remarkable.

• 157P/Tritton C/2003 T2(LINEAR)

157P/Tritton

2003 U.T       R.A (2000.0)   Decl.              m1
Oct. 19.76458   9 47 28.95   +14o58'29".3   16   372

I measured the comet's center which looked like an irregular galaxy. It may have disappeared by next observation.

C/2003 T2
2003 U.T          R.A (2000.0) Decl.     m1
Oct. 17.49906   9 28 23.1 +80 59 19.0   17.3   372
     17.50764   9 28 19.2 +80 59 27.3          372
     19.68681   9 09 45.5 +81 35 46.3   17.2   372
     19.70104   9 09 37.1 +81 36 00.8          372

It was difficult to turn the telescope to this region because of its close proximity to the celestial north pole.
As the guidescope was at an awkward position, I had to do guiding "in the air" sitting on the telescope's gigantic fork. The comet was fairly diffused.

I will attempt to capture C/2003 T3 when it rises over the southern ocean in November.