Japanese amateur astronomer visiting Leyburn

Mid July I started communicating with Ikufumi Makino from Japan. I actually responded to his e-mail to the MEADE Advanced User Group mailing list, inquiring about anyone with a telescope in Brisbane. He came down here on a business trip and was keen to have a look at the southern sky.

We went to Leyburn on the evening of September 1 st just to be welcomed by RAIN. Well, the heavens had mercy with Ikufumi. The next morning we had a clear sky with gusty wind. John, a member of our society, recorded a great interview with our guest that we showed in the September GM. As soon the Sun set the wind slowed down and we where able to show Ikufumi some great sky. After everyone else disappeared to bed (me at 3am), Ikufumi kept photographing right to sunrise. Greg Bock actually saw him at 6am. Ikufumi made more than 50 shots that night.

Ikufumi Makino is a keen astronomer for more than 20 years and he has earned a good name in the Japanese astronomy circles. Below you can see the copy of an entry in the Minor Planet Circulars where he is recognised:

(6245) Ikufumi = 1990 SO4

Discovered 1990 Sept. 27 by T. Urata at the Nihondaira Observatory.\line Named in honor of Ikufumi Makino (b. 1944), a telecommunications systems engineer and active amateur astronomer. His extensive knowledge of computer technologies has enabled him to contribute to astronomical magazines many articles about systems for making observations. He has played an important role in introducing and spreading the data-reduction tool Astrometrica in Japan. He is a collaborating member of the Nihondaira Observatory.

Ikufumi and me are planing to do some astrometric work together. We want to triangulate some asteroids with the help of CCD images we plan to make at the same time here in QLD and from Mt. Fuji in Japan. If successful this can help to get more precise orbital information of the minor planets.

In our time the world is getting smaller and it is great to make new friends with a wonderful hobby like Astronomy. In my opinion, borderless Astronomy is not fiction. It is a way to bring people together with the common goal to enjoy the science and beauty of the skys. There are many wars on our planet fuelled by hatred and misunderstanding. Think about how you can spread friendship and understanding among people all over the world and don’t worry which colour, race or religion the other person is. Astronomy is only a hobby for me but I hope to do my part to world peace.
I wish you plenty of time, clear nights and perfect seeing

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