What is the 188-cm Reflector Telescope?
Located in Asakuchi City, the 188-cm Reflector Telescope has the largest aperture among Japanese optical-infrared telescopes. When the Okayama Astrophysical Observatory opened in 1960, the 188-cm Reflector telescope had the 7th largest aperture in the world, and was said to be the largest in the Orient. It has produced many scientific results, such as the first extrasolar planet discovered from Japan. It has worked as a major Japanese optical infrared astronomical facility for about half a century. As a domestic base of optical infrared astronomy, we have collaborated on research with various universities. At the same time, we actively promoted international projects, such as cooperating with research institutes throughout East Asia.
Research
The 188-cm Reflector Telescope is mainly used for optical-infrared observation of galaxies, stars, Solar System objects, and so on. We have produced excellent achievements, such as determining the physical state of stars and the interstellar medium and exploring planets outside of the Solar System. We have also participated in instrument development, making new instruments to support astronomy, such as infrared spectroscopy instruments and a fiber optic transmission system.
University researchers and graduate students from all over Japan were involved in the development of these instruments. This helped many development researchers to become familiar with the field of optical-infrared astronomy. In addition, as a common use observation facility in Japan, the 188-cm Reflector Telescope plays an important role in educating and fostering young researchers.
Specifications
| Location | Honjo, Kamogata, Asakuchi, Okayama, Japan |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Grubb Parsons (United Kingdom) |
| Effective diameter of primary mirror | 188 centimeters |
| Focal length of primary mirror | 915 centimeters |
| Body weight | 50 tons |
| Optical system | Classical Cassegrain |
| Observation wavelengths | 0.36 to 2.5 micrometers |
| Main observational instruments | HIgh Dispersion Echelle Spectrograph (HIDES) Infrared Imager/Spectrograph for the OAO 188-cm Telescope (ISLE) Kyoto Okayama Optical Low-dispersion Spectrograph (KOOLS) Multi-color Simultaneous Camera for studying Atmospheres of Transiting exoplanets (MuSCAT) |
| Characteristics | The 188-cm Reflector Telescope has a Newton focus, Cassegrain focus, and Coude focus. It can exchange observational instruments and secondary mirrors according to the needs of the observations. |
History
| 1953 | Science Council of Japan requested Japanese government construct a large telescope. |
|---|---|
| October 19, 1960 | Opening ceremony held. Preliminary observation started. |
| 1994 | OASIS observation started (Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9’s collision with Jupiter was observed in the near infrared.) |
| 2000 | HIDES operation started (Full-scale high-dispersion spectroscopic observations) |
| 2006 | ISLE common use started |
| 2008 | KOOKS common use started |
| 2014 | MuSCAT first-light |
| 2018 | Open use ended |
Main Research Results
- Discovery of Multi-giant Planet System around Giant Star (Okayama Astrophysical Observatory, Japanese language only
- Farthest Giant Explosion in Universe Captured (Okayama Astrophysical Observatory, Japanese language only)
- Discovery of a Planet around a Giant Star (Okayama Astrophysical Observatory, Japanese language only)
- Timing the Shadow of a Potentially Habitable Extrasolar Planet Paves the Way to Search for Alien Life
- Sunny Super-Earth?
- Soccer Balls in Interstellar Space