Topics November 10, 2025

NAOJ and KASI Sign ALMA Collaboration MoU Amendment

The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) have signed an amendment to their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) originally concluded in 2014, aiming to enhance the security and depth of their cutting-edge research collaboration.

Topics November 6, 2025

Hawai`i County Mayor’s Delegation Visits NAOJ

On October 9, 2025, Hawai`i County Mayor Dr. Kimo Alameda and Deputy Managing Director of the Office of the Mayor Mr. Merrick Nishimoto visited NAOJ Mitaka Campus.

Topics November 5, 2025

Professor Mareki Honma Wins Nishina Memorial Prize

Professor Mareki Honma, Director of NAOJ Mizusawa VLBI Observatory has been awarded the 2025 (the 71st) Nishina Memorial Prize.

Topics September 12, 2025

Announcing the "Pokémon Astronomical Observatory" Special Exhibition to Explore the Mysteries of the Universe and Pokémon

The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan will collaborate with The Pokémon Company to hold the "Pokémon Astronomical Observatory," a special exhibition where visitors can have fun learning about the mysteries of the Universe, that will be hosted by various science museums in Japan. Through this project we aim to spark children’s interest in space, strengthen the talent pool which studies science, and increase overall support for basic science.

Topics September 10, 2025

Subaru Telescope and the 0.5-meter Solar Optical Telescope aboard "Hinode" have been registered as "Essential Historical Materials for Science and Technology"

The Subaru Telescope and the 0.5-meter Solar Optical Telescope aboard the solar observing satellite "Hinode" operated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan have been registered as "Essential Historical Materials for Science and Technology" by the National Museum of Nature and Science in 2025.

Topics June 24, 2025

NAOJ Researchers Contribute to Launch of Vera C. Rubin Observatory

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory released its first images taken with the world’s largest digital camera on June 23, 2025 (local time). This marks the beginning of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), a large-scale imaging project.

Topics April 15, 2025

NAOJ Researchers Receive the 2025 Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

From NAOJ, Assistant Professor Akimasa Kataoka and Associate Professor Yuka Fujii of the Division of Science and Assistant Professor Shota Kikuchi of the RISE Project received the Young Scientists’ Award; while Associate Professor Hidehiko Agata and Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer) Masaaki Hiramatsu of the Public Relations Center received the Award for Science and Technology (Public Understanding Promotion Category) as the main members of the Diagram of Our Universe production.

Topics March 17, 2025

200 MHz Solar Radio Telescope and Main Building of Temporary International Latitude Observatory Recognized as Japan Astronomical Heritage

Two NAOJ facilities have been recognized in the 7th (FY 2024) "Japan Astronomical Heritage" list. They are the "Mitaka 200 MHz Solar Radio Telescope" at the Nobeyama Radio Observatory and the "Temporary International Latitude Observatory Main Building (Kimura Hisashi Memorial Museum)" at Mizusawa VLBI Observatory.

Topics March 17, 2025

Awards of the Astronomical Society of Japan related to NAOJ

At the 2025 Spring Annual Meeting of the Astronomical Society of Japan, the awards for FY 2024 under the society's award system have been announced. Among them, the following awards are related to NAOJ.

Topics February 25, 2025

Subaru Telescope Observes Near Earth Asteroid 2024 YR₄

On February 20, 2025 (Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time, HAST, the Subaru Telescope captured images of asteroid 2024 YR₄, which will pass close to the Earth in 2032. The positional data obtained from these observations was used to refine the asteroid’s orbit, and assure us that the asteroid will not actually hit the Earth.