Topics December 18, 2020

The Subaru Telescope Photographs the Next Target Asteroid for Hayabusa2

On December 10, 2020 (Hawaiʻi Standard Time), the Subaru Telescope imaged the small asteroid 1998 KY26, the target of Hayabusa2’s extended mission.

Topics November 26, 2020

The Subaru Telescope Hails Return of Hayabusa2

On November 20, 2020 (HST), the Subaru Telescope captured Hayabusa2 on its way back to Earth after exploring the asteroid (162173) Ryugu.

Topics September 11, 2020

Kilonova Research Wins 2019 PASJ Excellent Paper Award

A research paper identifying massive explosions known as kilonovae as sources of heavy elements, received the 2019 PASJ Excellent Paper Award.

Topics September 8, 2020

The 6-m Millimeter-Wave Radio Telescope Added to Japan Astronomical Heritage List

The 6-m Millimeter-Wave Radio Telescope, which laid the foundation for Japanese radio astronomy, has been added to the 2019 (second) Japan Astronomical Heritage list.

Topics July 20, 2020

Japanese Amateur Astronomers Discovers New Nova in Sagittarius

A Japanese amateur astronomer, Shigehisa Fujikawa discovered a new object in Sagittarius on the night of July 16, 2020 (JST) and communicated it to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan.

Topics July 17, 2020

Munehito Shoda Wins International Astronomical Union PhD Prize

Munetoshi Shoda (JSPS Research Fellow) at the Solar Science Observatory of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) was awarded the 2019 PhD Prize in the Solar and Heliospheric Division by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

Topics July 15, 2020

Subaru Telescope and New Horizons Explore the Outer Solar System

Collaborative observations with NASA’s New Horizons mission have been ongoing at the Subaru Telescope since May 2020.

Topics July 6, 2020

NAOJ Researchers Win 2020 MEXT Commendation for Science and Technology

Four members of the NAOJ 4D2U Project have received the prestigious Award for Science and Technology (Public Understanding Promotion Category) of the 2020 Commendations for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

Topics March 25, 2020

Dr. Mitsuru Soma Wins Homer F. DaBoll Award

Dr. Mitsuru Soma, an assistant professor in the Division of Science at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) has won the 2019 Homer F. DaBoll Award presented by the International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA).

Topics March 13, 2020

NAOJ Statement on the Potential Impairment of Astronomical Observations by Satellite Mega-Constellations

We believe that our primary mission is to work side-by-side with the IAU and other astronomical observatories around the world, in asking for the cooperation of satellite-related businesses to seek possible solutions.