Since Ikeya-Seki, the stature of this avid "amateur" has risen to the point that is he now given regular time on the 60cm reflector at Geisei Observatory here in Kochi Prefecture. At Geisei, he avidly pursues another area of "discovery"... asteroids. This month, he was honored here in Kochi on the naming of his 52nd discovered asteroid, Torahiko, which generally appears at about magnitude 17.

Unaided visual discovery of asteroids is virtually unheard of these days, and a new asteroid discovery seldom has impact on astronomical or astrophysical theory. Thus, few professionals make this branch of observation a high priority when given precious time on a scope. Further, as Lecacheux [In Martinez (Ed) The Observer's Guide to Astronomy] and others point out, this area of observational discovery is confined primarily to photographic searches and somewhat tedious tracking and calculation. Because of this and the fact that asteroid discovery does not seem to have the same "glory" as that of comets, few amateurs are willing to invest the time and energy necessary for the work.

Despite a number of duties and other activities, Seki diligently pursues the task. To have a "possibility" confirmed as a new asteroid, at least three and preferably four sightings are necessary. Orbital elements must be calculated for comparison with the over half million or so "possibilities" kept on file at the Minor Planet Center.

In the case of Torahiko, Seki found the initial "speck" on plates he took on the night of November 25, 1987. Over the past nine years, four additional "sightings" were made far enough apart to produce orbital elements for comparison. In February of this year, Asteroid 6514 was officially recognized by the SAO and given the name Torahiko. Why Torahiko? Torahiko Terada was a renowned Japanese physicist, highly admired by Seki. Following Seki's publication of "Houki Boshi ga Yonde Iru" (Comets are Calling Me), he was awarded the 15th Torahiko Terada prize for science writing. Seki recently remarked to a Kochi Shinbun reporter that there are only three days difference between the discovery of Asteroid Torahiko and Torahiko's birthday. "I named this asteroid with the hope that the great work of Torahiko Terada will keep shining forever", he said.

The modest Seki is a highly approachable man who is willing to "talk astronomy" with anyone who is interested. His eclecticism in astronomy is obvious. One readily sees that he combines passion and love for the night sky with rigor and dedication. We can only hope that Tsutomu Seki has many more years of discovery. His work is not only an inspiration to amateurs but to professionals throughout the world who seek a living model of sound observational technique.