Science February 8, 2017

Protostar displays a strange geometry

Using observations of molecules taken by the ALMA observatory, researchers have uncovered new clues to understanding how dust in a collapsing molecular cloud can shed angular momentum and penetrate beyond an area known as the “centrifugal barrier”.

Science February 2, 2017

Tail of Stray Black Hole hiding in the Milky Way

By analyzing the gas motion of an extraordinarily fast-moving cosmic cloud in a corner of the Milky Way, astronomers found hints of a wandering black hole hidden in the cloud.

Science January 31, 2017

Tracing the Cosmic Web with Star-forming Galaxies in the Distant Universe

A research group led by Hiroshima University has revealed a picture of the increasing fraction of massive star-forming galaxies in the distant universe.

Science January 27, 2017

Cosmic lenses Bring the Universe’s Expansion into Sharper Focus

By using distant galaxies as giant gravitational lenses, an international group of astronomers has made an independent measurement of how fast the Universe is expanding.

This article is including a link to a article for kids.

Science January 24, 2017

Micro spacecraft investigates cometary water mystery

In September 2015, Astronomers successfully observed the entire hydrogen coma of the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, using the LAICA telescope onboard the PROCYON spacecraft. They also succeeded in obtaining the absolute rate of water discharge from the comet.

This article is including a link to a article for kids.

Topics December 16, 2016

ALMA Management Agreement Signed

On November 17, the Management Agreement Concerning Operations of ALMA was signed by NAOJ, AUI and ESO.

Topics December 12, 2016

NAOJ and UTSA Sign an Agreement to Collaborate in Astronomy

To further strengthen international collaboration, NAOJ and UTSA signed a memorandum of understanding on collaboration in astronomy.

Topics December 9, 2016

Special Website “Multiwavelength Universe” Wins the WebAward 2016 Best Science Site

NAOJ’s special website, “Multiwavelength Universe” won the WebAward 2016 Best Science Site. The Web Marketing Association in the United States of America gives these awards to excellent websites.

Science December 5, 2016

ALMA measures size of seeds of planets

Researchers using the ALMA, have for the first time, achieved a precise size measurement of small dust particles around a young star through radio-wave polarization.

Events December 2, 2016

Mitaka Open House Day 2016: More than 4500 Visitors Gathered at the Observatory in Autumn

The annual open house “Mitaka Open House Day” was held for 2 days on Friday, October 21, and Saturday, October 22, 2016.