Reports from Geisei Observatory <March 13, 2005>

• C/2004 Q2 (Machholz)
The following observation results are to be sent to IAU. Code number 370 is an old familiar one given to Kochi Observatory. All the observations had been made at this location until Geisei Observatory was set up. Geisei was given Code Number 372 and the official name Kochi Observatory Geisei Station. A 17.5cm reflector has been used at Kochi Observatory (at my residence), but its equatorial mounting broke down soon after these observations below were made.

    CK04Q020   2004 12 05.63368 04 47 27.75 -24 44 00.8           5.5 T      370
    CK04Q020   2004 12 07.60538 04 44 09.76 -23 33 30.7                      370
    CK04Q020   2005 01 01.38438 03 50 28.73 +09 40 33.3           3.8 T      370
    CK04Q020   2005 01 16.39826 03 16 55.03 +40 34 34.5                      370
    CK04Q020   2005 02 25.45764 03 35 47.4  +80 49 29.9           6.0 T      370
    CK04Q020   2005 03 07.54236 05 52 24.8  +84 35 46.7           6.4 T      370

A recent image of Comet Machholz is shown here. It is close to Polaris and has become dim. A long time ago, a comet called Panther grazed the north celestial pole and was captured by the 60cm telescope as a stationary pinpoint. The positional measurement near the celestial pole used to be very difficult, but it can be done faultlessly now.

C/2004 Q2 (Machholz)
8-minute exposure from 22:04 on March 13, 2005
60cm f/3.5 reflector on TM400 film