Tsutomu Seki


Tsutomu Seki is a Japanese astronomer and discoverer of minor planets and comets, born in Kōchi, Japan.

Career

Tsutomu Seki is the Director of the Geisei Observatory in Kōchi, and in charge of the Comet Section of the Oriental Astronomical Association. Between 1961 and 1970, he had visually discovered six comets, including the celebrated bright C/1965 S1.
He has also discovered a large number of asteroids such as 13553 Masaakikoyama and, a near-Earth Amor asteroid and a Jupiter trojan, respectively. Many of his discoveries are named after famous sites in Kōchi, such as Harimaya-bashi, Ryōma, Katsurahama beach, and Kagami-gawa.

Awards and honors

Asteroid 3426 Seki, discovered by Karl Reinmuth at the Heidelberg Observatory in 1932, was is named in his honor. The official naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 16 December 1986.

List of discovered minor planets

2396 Kochi9 February 1981
2571 Geisei23 October 1981
2582 Harimaya-Bashi26 September 1981
2621 Goto9 February 1981
2835 Ryoma20 November 1982
2880 Nihondaira8 February 1983
2961 Katsurahama7 December 1982
3150 Tosa11 February 1983
3182 Shimanto27 November 1984
3262 Miune28 November 1983
3431 Nakano24 August 1984
3785 Kitami30 November 1986
3822 Segovia21 February 1988
3851 Alhambra30 October 1986
3914 Kotogahama16 September 1987
3935 Toatenmongakkai14 August 1987
4039 Souseki17 September 1987
4095 Ishizuchisan16 September 1987
4097 Tsurugisan18 November 1987
4101 Ruikou8 February 1988
4223 Shikoku7 May 1988
4256 Kagamigawa3 October 1986
4290 Heisei30 October 1989
4399 Ashizuri21 October 1984
4411 Kochibunkyo3 January 1990

5969 Ryuichiro17 March 1991
6088 Hoshigakubo18 October 1988
6237 Chikushi4 February 1989
6244 Okamoto20 August 1990
6302 Tengukogen2 February 1989
6399 Harada3 April 1991
6449 Kudara7 February 1991
6458 Nouda2 October 1992
6497 Yamasaki27 October 1992
6514 Torahiko25 November 1987
6606 Makino16 October 1990
6660 Matsumoto16 January 1993
6699 Igaueno19 December 1987
6720 Gifu11 November 1990
6925 Susumu24 October 1993
6965 Niyodogawa11 November 1990
6971 Omogokei8 February 1992
7017 Uradowan1 February 1992
7094 Godaisan4 September 1992
7125 Eitarodate7 February 1991
7235 Hitsuzan30 October 1986
7274 Washioyama21 March 1982
7287 Yokokurayama10 November 1990
7289 Kamegamori5 May 1991
7410 Kawazoe20 August 1990

9751 Kadota20 August 1990
9756 Ezaki12 February 1991
9852 Gora24 December 1990
9870 Maehata24 February 1992
9964 Hideyonoguchi13 February 1992
10078 Stanthorpe30 October 1989
10091 Bandaisan11 November 1990
10094 Eijikato20 February 1991
10167 Yoshiwatiso31 January 1995
10300 Tanakadate6 March 1989
10321 Rampo26 October 1990
10547 Yosakoi2 May 1992
10791 Uson8 February 1992
10803 Caléyo21 October 1992
10829 Matsuobasho22 October 1993
11288 Okunohosomichi10 December 1990
11294 Kazu4 February 1992
11296 Denzen24 May 1992
11304 Cowra19 February 1993
11321 Tosimatumoto21 February 1995
11361 Orbinskij28 February 1998
11516 Arthurpage6 March 1991
11878 Hanamiyama18 April 1990
11925 Usubae23 December 1992
11927 Mount Kent16 January 1993

17509 Ikumadan4 May 1992
18365 Shimomoto17 November 1990
25 November 1992
18609 Shinobuyama30 January 1998
18644 Arashiyama2 March 1998
19156 Heco20 September 1990
19161 Sakawa15 October 1990
19197 Akasaki6 March 1992
19210 Higayoshihiro25 December 1992
20040 Tatsuyamatsuyama21 November 1992
20102 Takasago31 January 1995
21014 Daishi13 October 1988
21016 Miyazawaseiroku2 November 1988
21022 Ike2 February 1989
21089 Mochizuki8 February 1992
21126 Katsuyoshi19 January 1993
21166 Nobuyukishouji6 December 1993
21282 Shimizuyuka14 October 1996
23468 Kannabe20 September 1990
23478 Chikumagawa21 January 1991
23504 Haneda7 March 1992
23587 Abukumado2 October 1995
24889 Tamurahosinomura11 December 1996
26092 Norikonoriyuki16 September 1987
6 November 1988

42566 Ryutaro3 December 1996
11 November 1990
43794 Yabetakemoto19 December 1990
7 September 1991
15 November 1993
46580 Ryouichiirie2 April 1992
16 December 1992
46595 Kita-Kyushu29 December 1992
46596 Tobata16 January 1993
48482 Oruki5 February 1992
48495 Ryugado16 January 1993
52285 Kakurinji30 July 1990
52455 Masamika6 January 1995
20 November 1989
58184 Masayukiyamamoto7 September 1991
58185 Rokkosan7 September 1991
65716 Ohkinohama25 January 1993
65894 Echizenmisaki30 January 1998
79130 Bandanomori26 October 1990
79149 Kajigamori27 October 1992
79152 Abukumagawa17 March 1993
90713 Chajnantor11 November 1990
120462 Amanohashidate26 October 1990
237276 Nakama2 December 2008
3 September 2010