History

NAOJ was established in 1988 as interuniversity research institute by reorganizing the Tokyo Astronomical Observatory of the University of Tokyo, the Latitude Observatory, and part of the Nagoya University Atmospheric Research Center. The antecedent institutes also had a long history and many research contributions.

History of NAOJ
Year Event
1888 The Tokyo Astronomical Observatory was established by the Faculty of Science, the University of Tokyo.
1899 The Latitude Observatory was established in Mizusawa.
1908 Astronomical Society of Japan was established.
1925 Publication of “Chronological Scientific” began.
1946 Publication of Almanacs and “Calendar and Ephemeris” began.
1949 The Nobeyama University Atmospheric Research Center was established.
Norikura Solar Observatory began observations.
1960 Okayama Astrophysical Observatory began Observations.
1969 Nobeyama Solar Radio Observatory began observations.
1970 Nobeyama 6mm Radio Observatory began observations.
1972 A leap second began to be include in calendar calculations.
1981 Astronomical Satellite “Hinotori” began solar observations.
1988 The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan was established.
1992 Nobeyama Radio Heliograph began observations.
1996 Introduction and open use of super computers.
1997 Space VLBI satellite “HALCA” began observations.
1999 Subaru Telescope began observations.
Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Antenna “TAMA300” began observations.
2000 Daily-open days began at Mitaka Campus.
2001 Agreement on ALMA project among Europe, the United States, and Japan.
VERA Stations began observations.
2004 NAOJ was incorporated as the National Astronomical Observatory ojf Japan, National Institutes of Nature Sciences.
Construction of ALMA began.
2006 The completion of Ishigakishima Obervatory as a part of VERA Project, Mizusawa.
2007 As a part of the Four-Dimentional Digital Universe (4D2U) project, the tri-dimensional dome theater completed.
The Lunar Explorer “KAGUYA” was launched and began observations.

To Top