Minor planets discovered: 13 [1]
4106 Nada[1] March 6, 1989
4797 Ako[1] September 30, 1989
5401 Minamioda[1] March 6, 1989
5685 Sanenobufukui[1] December 8, 1990
5737 Itoh[1] September 30, 1989
5872 Sugano[1] September 30, 1989
6155 Yokosugano[1] November 11, 1990
6557 Yokonomura[1] November 11, 1990
6559 Nomura[2] May 3, 1991
7178 Ikuookamoto[1] November 11, 1990
9580 Tarumi[1] October 4, 1989
10318 Sumaura[1] October 15, 1990
14873 Shoyo[2] October 28, 1990

Kōyō Kawanishi (川西 浩陽, Kawanishi Kōyō, born January 18, 1959) is a Japanese dentist, amateur astronomer and discoverer of 13 minor planets.[1][2]

He lives in the city of Akō in the Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, where his private Minami-Oda Observatory (374) is located.[3] At the observatory, he observes comets and minor planets using his home-made 0.20-m reflector telescope together with his wife Kumi and daughter Saki. Familiar with electronics and mechanics, he has also developed his own CCD instrumentation.[2]

The asteroid 5591 Koyo, discovered by Japanese astronomer Takeshi Urata, was named in his honour.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Schmadel, Lutz D. (2003). "(5591) Koyo". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (5591) Koyo. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 475. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_5311. ISBN 978-3-540-29925-7.
  3. ^ Schmadel, Lutz D. (2003). "(4797) Ako". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (4797) Ako. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 414. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_4700. ISBN 978-3-540-29925-7.