The Solar Flare Telescope is located in the western portion of the NAOJ Mitaka Campus, behind a forest with various kinds of trees. This uniquely shaped telescope is composed of two 20 cm diameter telescopes and two 15 cm diameter telescopes for a total of four refractive telescopes. It constantly observes a variety of solar activity phenomenon, concentrating on solar flares.

Established in 1990, the Solar Flare Telescope is one of the few telescopes in Mitaka Campus which still conducts regular observations. A deep encompassing forest watches over this telescope which has continued to observe the Sun for over 20 years. As if to celebrate its steadfast labor, this year like every year, the cherry blossoms in full bloom all send their applause in unison.

(Please have fun examining the cherry blossoms in full bloom throughout the entire image.)

(Author: Tomoko Ono , Public Relations Center)