*ASTRONOMY*

Astronomical observation has been one of my hobbies since my primary school age. I have no telescope here in Nagoya (though I’ve got the old 6cm one in my home in Otsu...) so lately I enjoy watching with binaculars. Sometimes I follow astronomical objects that is the topic, watch the Messier objects when I’ve got a chance to use telescopes... but I love just enjoying a view of heavenly bodies —yes, it’s good to keep every daily busyness out of your mind— imagining good old days when the stars and planets were close to the people. This is so sumptuous, isn’t it? Old memories in the west, hereafter in the east, the epitome of the universe over the celestial sphere... oh, too romantic but I like it if it’s occasional. (Hum? Am I too oldish? Though other young and old astromaniac people work a lot to the observations... Well, okay, astronomical observation is the sequestered matter.) Lately, sometimes I do observations using my professor’s old telescope with several students or teachers. Yeah, it’s a propagation.

Leonids in 2001 was so great in Japan. I had an opportunity to meet Dr. D. Asher who had predicted these Leonids peaks in January, 2002. According to his story, there will be the Leonids peak in Europe and West Africa in 2002. Where I was is East Africa —mm... hard to see them here in Kenya, I think. Well, Kenyan sky is pretty interesting for me. Nairobi is located almost just under the equator so you can see all of stars for one year.