Temporary assembly and adjustment works of the TAO 6.5m telescope mount in Japan have proceeded and the whole picture of the telescope mount has been finally revealed. A unveiling ceremony was held for domestic astronomy researchers and affiliated companies before the mount is disassembled and shipped to Chile. Also, a commemorative lecture was held in the Akashi civic square. Furthermore, with this big milestone, an Extended TAO Technical Meeting was held.

Titles

• Tour for TAO 6.5m telescope mount
• Commemorative Lectures for Completion of the TAO 6.5 m telescope mount
• Fourth Extended TAO Technical Meeting

Tour for TAO 6.5m telescope mount

Domestic temporary assembly and adjustment works of the TAO 6.5 m telescope mount have been conducted by NISHIMURA WORKS Co.,Ltd., a main fabrication company, at a corner of Toban factory of Toa Gaigyo Co., Ltd., in Harima-cho, Kako-gun, Hyogo Prefecture. The height of the assembled TAO telescope is about 15 m, the width is about 16 m, and the total weight is about 200 t. The high appearance stands out even in a commodious factory. A tour for the TAO telescope mount was held in the factory on Sunday, January 28, 2018. Though it was occasionally flurry of snow, and very cold inside the factory, about 100 relevant people participated; astronomical researchers from domestic universities and joint research institutes together with people from companies involved in the TAO telescope fabrication.

The tour was held twice, in the mornings and in the afternoon. For each tour, first of all, the TAO project outline briefing session was held at Akashi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. After that, participants moved to Toban factory of Toa Gaigyo Co., Ltd. and had explanations about the telescope mount while observing it. By watching the high telescope mount in front of just a few meters away, they realized the great progress of the TAO project and this created a new momentum to consider research plans achieved by the TAO telescope. Also, engineers of the companies which involved in manufacturing telescope parts told us that they were very impressed to see the finally assembled telescope. However, the large telescope mount might be too close for the participants to capture the whole figure with their cameras.

The Media interviews were also held between the tours. Professor Miyata, who gave explanations about the project and telescope, was surrounded by many reporters and received enthusiastic interviews. On that day, many TV programs and newspapers reported the progress of the TAO project and the appearance of the 6.5 m telescope mount were delivered throughout Japan.　Overseas researchers who saw these reports also gave warm celebration messages.

Finally, we would like to thank NISHIMURA WORKS Co.,Ltd., Kishiro Co.,Ltd., and other related companies, and also Toa Gaigyo Co., Ltd. for willingly allowed us to undertake the tour in their factory.

TAO project outline briefing session held at Akashi Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Professor Miyata (right), who explains the TAO 6.5 m telescope at TOBAN factory of TOA GAIGYO CO.,LTD

Participants of the tour for TAO 6.5m telescope mount

Commemorative Lectures for Completion of the TAO 6.5 m telescope mount

On the same day, we held commemorative lectures for citizens after the domestic tours of the TAO telescope mount. As the lectures were held in the Akashi City Square right in front of Akashi station, 120 seats prepared were filled and many people participated even without seats.

Opening address was given from the host, Professor Doi, Director of the Institute of Astronomy, the University of Tokyo. Then, Co-organizer’s speech was given from Mr. Izumi, Mayor of Akashi City. After receiving a lecture on telescopes and observations of the universe from Mr. Inoue, the Director of the Akashi Municipal Astronomical Science Museum, Dr. Kamizuka, a Postdoctoral fellow of the TAO project, who is from Akashi city, gave a lecture on the TAO telescope and researches explored by the TAO project. Immediately afterwards, Dr. Black Star appeared, and a fun quiz meeting was held with orbital star unit Shigosenger, and the venue was greatly excited with children. Finally, Professor Tamura of the University of Tokyo's astronomy Department gave a lecture on the cutting-edge research on extrasolar planets and extraterrestrial life exploration, and a series of the memorial lectures ended successfully.

We also placed various exhibitions related to the TAO project from the morning of the day to the end of the lectures at the public square. The main feature of the exhibitions is the real scale sheet of the primary mirror of the TAO telescope with a diameter of 6.5 m. People may have realized the TAO telescope's enormity by mounting on the sheet and experienced the size of the primary mirror at a very short distance. Several panels on the project and the telescope construction site, the diorama around the Co. Chajnantor, the model of the TAO telescope etc. were also exhibited.

Finally, we would like to thank Akashi City, NISHIMURA WORKS Co.,Ltd., Kishiro Co., Ltd., AKASHI MUNICIPAL PLANETARIUM, Akashi Tourism Association for cooperating in preparing and operating this commemorative lecture meeting.

Participants of TAO 6.5 m telescope mount completion memorial lectures. Sign language interpretations and summary writing were also done during the lectures. The real size large sheet of the primary mirror of the TAO telescope with a diameter of 6.5 m is visible in the lower right.

Address from Mr. Izumi, mayor of Akashi city

Orbital star unit Shigosenger Red who enlivened the lecture, Postdoctoral fellow Kamizuka, University of Tokyo, Professor Tamura, University of Tokyo, and Dr. Black star (from the left)

Fourth Extended TAO Technical Meeting

This domestic temporary assembly is a really big milestone for the TAO project and we held the fourth TAO Extended Technical Meeting with engineers of the companies which involved in the fabrication of the TAO telescope. Since the meeting started late, after the telescope tours, it was a short time meeting with limited companies. An opening address and an outline about the current status of the project were given from Professor Emeritus Yoshii, the Principal Investigator of the TAO project. Mr. Matsumoto, the president of Kishiro Co.,Ltd., responsible for manufacturing the main parts of the telescope mount, presented closing remarks. The meeting lifted our spirit for future promotion of the TAO telescope construction and astronomy researches in Chile.