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Reports from Geisei Observatory <July 20, 2006>


41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak, 71P/Clark, and C/2006 L2 (McNaught)

    41P/Tuttle-Giacobini-Kresak has always been on my mind, and with fine weather continuing over several days I managed to observe this comet. Although the total magnitude was unexpectedly bright, the nucleus was very faint and its diffused image made it rather difficult to see. As a result, measuring by a comparator is difficult and an error of 2" to 3" is quite possible. The comet is moving east fast without its characteristic outbursts. Generally, observing in the western evening sky from Geisei is difficult due to a bright glow (light pollution), but it was more favorable today because muddy ground following rainy weather caused a night baseball game to be called off.

    71P/ Clark was observed at 41 degrees declination south. The comet is bright enough for observation for some time to come. The 60cm reflector, partially disfunctional at the moment, lies almost horizontal to observe this comet.

    I intend to aim at Nucleus C of Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 when the moon wanes. I want to see the beautiful starry night again. My feeling at the moment can be described by Dr. Barnard's last word: "I want to see the beautiful night sky one more time."
0041P          2006 07 14.48472 12 23 50.37 +09 15 25.3          13.3 T      372
0041P          2006 07 14.49514 12 23 53.21 +09 15 07.2          13.3 T      372

0071P          2006 07 03.61701 19 39 35.86 -40 02 40.3          13.9 T      372
0071P          2006 07 14.53993 19 38 16.20 -41 39 49.4          13.9 T      372
0071P          2006 07 15.55833 19 38 06.11 -41 46 08.2          13.8 T      372
0071P          2006 07 15.56146 19 38 06.05 -41 46 09.2                      372

    CK06L020   2006 07 14.50694 14 09 48.15 -20 58 32.4          14.8 T      372
    CK06L020   2006 07 14.51528 14 09 47.96 -20 58 18.1                      372


Copyright (C) 2006 Tsutomu Seki.