Takao Kobayashi

nihongo|Takao Kobayashi|小林隆男|extra=born 1961 is an amateur Japanese astronomer and currently works at the Oizumi Observatory.

Accomplishment

He has discovered more than 2000 asteroids using CCD technology, including the Amor asteroids 7358 Oze, mpl|(23714) 1998 EC|3, mpl|(48603) 1995 BC|2 and about nine Trojan asteroids. He also discovered the periodic comet P/1997 B1 (Kobayashi), which he originally reported as an asteroid.

The asteroid 3500 Kobayashi is named after him.

His asteroid discoveries of January 16, 1994 and December 31, 1994 have been named 8883 Miyazakihayao and 10160 Totoro by Kobayashi. The names reference anime filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, and one of his creations, "My Neighbor Totoro". The names have been approved by the International Astronomical Union. Not to be confused with another Japanese astronomer, Toru Kobayashi, who co-discovered comet C/1975 N1 (Kobayashi-Berger-Milon).

Why he is famous for P/1997 B1 Kobayashi

On January 30 and January 31, 1997, Kobayashi observed an object, P/1997 B1 Kobayashi, which was initially thought to be a minor planet and was reported to the IAU as such by S. Nakano. Over the next few days, the object was observed to be in a cometary orbit. W. Offutt later showed it to be a comet. [cite web |url=http://www.theastronomer.org/tacirc/1997/e1171.txt |title=THE ASTRONOMER Electronic Circular No 1171 |accessdate=2008-07-25 |format= |work=THE ASTRONOMER ]

Occupation

Takao Kobayashi is currently a professor at Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering. He is also general designer of quantum yield design at Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation. He was also appointed president by MICO.

References

External links

* [http://www.stormingmedia.us/authors/Kobayashi_Takao.html From Storming Media]
* [http://act.jst.go.jp/content/h11/material/M01/PageResearchers_e.html Researchers]
* [http://www.ast.cam.ac.uk/~jds/coms97.htm A list of comets]