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.

Science April 11, 2024

Twinkle Twinkle Baby Star, ‘Sneezes’ Tell us How You Are

Astronomers have discovered the remnants of powerful ‘sneezes’ expelling gas, dust, and electromagnetic energy around stars in the process of forming. The team believes these sneezes help the baby star expel excess magnetic flux, and as such may play a vital role in enabling the star to form.

Science April 8, 2024

Inexplicable Flying Fox found in Hydra Galaxy Cluster

High sensitivity radio observations have discovered a cloud of magnetized plasma in the Hydra galaxy cluster. The odd location and shape of this plasma defy all conventional explanations. Dubbed the Flying Fox based on its silhouette, this plasma will remain a mystery until additional observations can provide more insight.