Science September 5, 2024

Outer Solar System More Populated than We Thought

Observations of the outer Solar System with the Subaru Telescope have discovered new bodies where none were expected. The new objects are likely members of a much larger population waiting to be discovered. This discovery has profound implications for our understanding of the structure and history of the Solar System. First and foremost, it suggests that the Solar System has more in common with other planetary systems, which in turn has implications on our search for life outside of the Solar System.

Topics September 2, 2024

University of Hawai‘i Delegation Visits NAOJ

On August 7 and 8, 2024, a delegation of the University of Hawai‘i, including Vice President for Research and Innovation, University of Hawai‘i System, Vassilis Syrmos, visited NAOJ Mitaka Campus.

Science August 30, 2024

Dancing Galaxies Make a Monster at the Cosmic Dawn

Astronomers have spotted a pair of galaxies in the act of merging 12.8 billion years ago. The characteristics of these galaxies indicate that the merger will form a monster galaxy, one of the brightest types of objects in the Universe. These results are important for understanding the early evolution of galaxies and black holes in the early Universe.

Topics August 21, 2024

Professor Mizuno to Receive the Foreign Minister's Commendation

Dr. Norikazu Mizuno, Deputy Director of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) Chile Observatory and Professor in the ALMA Project, has been selected as a recipient of the Foreign Minister's Commendation for FY 2024.

Topics August 8, 2024

Netherlands Delegation on Astronomical Instruments Visits NAOJ Mitaka Campus

On June 26, 2024, the Netherlands Delegation on Astronomical Instruments visited NAOJ Mitaka Campus.

Topics July 9, 2024

Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs of Chile Visits NAOJ

On June 4, 2024, Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs of Chile, Her Excellency Mrs. Gloria de la Fuente Gonzalez, visited NAOJ Mitaka Campus.

Science May 31, 2024

Simulations Yield New Intermediate Mass Black Holes Recipe

The first star-by-star simulations of globular cluster formation show that massive star collisions can start a runaway process resulting in the formation of intermediate-mass black holes. These results can help explain the origins of this rare type of black holes.

Science May 24, 2024

Earth Twin or Evil Twin

The discovery of a planet similar to Venus around a star in the neighborhood of the Solar System raises hopes that astronomers may someday unlock the secret to why life appeared on Earth.

Science May 10, 2024

ONe Nova to Rule Them All

Astronomers have proposed a new theory to explain the origin of phosphorus, one of the elements important for life on Earth. The theory suggests a type of stellar explosion known as ONe novae as a major source of phosphorus.

Topics April 23, 2024

Izumi and Hirano received the Young Scientists’ Award in The Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Associate Professor Takuma Izumi of the NAOJ ALMA Project and Associate Professor Teruyuki Hirano of the NINS Astrobiology Center (concurrently appointed to Subaru Telescope) received the Young Scientists’ Award from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in the Science and Technology category in 2024.