Gekko Observatory

Gekkou Astronomical Observatory

Code	888
Location	Shizuoka Prefecture
Coordinates	35°07′29″N 138°59′42″E / 35.12472°N 138.99500°ECoordinates: 35°07′29″N 138°59′42″E / 35.12472°N 138.99500°E
Altitude	312 m (1,024 ft)
Established	1957
Website	http://www.gekkou.or.jp/
Telescopes
Unnamed 20cm refracting telescope Unnamed 50cm reflecting telescope

Gekko 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.

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

References

• 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.