Gekko Tenmondai (月光天文台 "Moonlight Observatory") is an astronomical observatory located in the Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. It was founded in 1957 and is owned by the International Foundation for Cultural Harmony. Between 1987 and 2000, the astronomers Yoshiaki Oshima and Tetsuo Kagawa discovered 172 minor planets at this site. In 2000, this observatory was ranked 40th in the world for total asteroid discoveries.

Gekko Observatory
Alternative namesGekko Astronomical Observatory Edit this at Wikidata
Observatory code 888 Edit this on Wikidata
LocationKannami, Numazu metropolitan area, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan
Coordinates35°07′43″N 138°59′33″E / 35.128526°N 138.992393°E / 35.128526; 138.992393
Altitude312 m (1,024 ft) Edit this at Wikidata
Established21 September 1957 Edit this on Wikidata
Websitegekkou.or.jp Edit this at Wikidata
Telescopes
Unnamed20cm refracting telescope
Unnamed50cm reflecting telescope
Gekko Observatory is located in Japan
Gekko Observatory
Location of Gekko Observatory

Asteroid 4261 Gekko is named after this observatory. The IAU code for this observatory is 888. The name of the observatory means "moonlight".

References

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  • Staff (2000). "Minor Planet Discovery Sites". IAU: Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 2007-09-20.
  • Schmadel, Lutz D. (2003). Dictionary of Minor Planet Names. Springer. ISBN 3-540-00238-3.