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Institute of Astronomy
The University of Tokyo

News

Nov 6, 2017 PRESS RELEASE
Forest of Molecular Signals in Star Forming Galaxy
Astronomers found a rich molecular reservoir in the heart of an active star-forming galaxy with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). Among eight clouds identified at the center of the galaxy NGC 253, one exhibits very complex chemical composition, while in the other clouds many signals are missing. This chemical richness and diversity shed light on the nature of the baby boom galaxy.
Oct 18, 2017 PRESS RELEASE
LIGO and Virgo make first detection of gravitational waves produced by neutron star collision
Discovery marks first cosmic event observed in both gravitational waves and light.
An international team of scientists including researchers at the University of Tokyo have detected both gravitational waves and light from a spectacular neutron star collision.
Oct 13, 2017 PRESS RELEASE
Observations of 2012 TC4
Oct 5, 2017 PRESS RELEASE
The helium explosion at the surface sets out the final journey of a dying star
An international astronomical team led by Ji-an Jiang, a graduate student of the University of Tokyo, and Mamoru Doi (U-Tokyo) has found the evidence that the brightest stellar explosions in our universe could be triggered by the helium nuclear explosion at the surface of a white dwarf (star), by carrying out survey observations with the wide-field camera mounted on the 8.2-m Subaru telescope, the Hyper Suprime-Cam. This study was reported in Nature published on Oct. 5, 2017 (Japanese Standard Time).
Jun 19, 2014 PRESS RELEASE
Io’s volcanism seen by The University of Tokyo Atacama 1-m Telescope, Huge volcanism on a small body detected at a mid-infrared wavelength
Professors Y. Yoshii, T. Miyata (Institute of Astronomy, the University of Tokyo) and Dr. M. Yoneda (Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University / Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii ) made mid-infrared observations of Io at The University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory using a 1-m telescope and mid-infrared camera called MAX38.
Aug 23, 2012 PRESS RELEASE
Examining Galaxy Form from the Top of the World
The team installed a 1.0m telescope at the University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory at the summit of Mt. Chajnantor (5640m altitude) in northern Chile, the highest astronomical observatory on the Earth, and has been carrying out an imaging survey of nearby starburst galaxies in the Paschen alpha emission line. 38 starburst galaxies have been observed in the Paschen alpha so far, the largest sample of starburst galaxies ever observed.
Sep 29, 2010 PRESS RELEASE
Discovery of a large number of ‘Monster Galaxies’ in the early universe
An international research team led by Bunyo Hatsukade of the Nobeyama Radio Observatory and Kotaro Kohno of the University of Tokyo discovered about 200 star-forming ‘monster’ galaxies in the early universe using the ASTE telescope located in Chile.
Mar 4, 2010 PRESS RELEASE
The University of Tokyo and Konica Minolta Produce a Planetarium Program, Proposing a New Way of Public Outreach in Scientific Research
In order to make it easier for the public people to understand the new results, the University of Tokyo and Konica Minolta produced a joint planetarium program "Galaxies Far, Far Away - TAO Reveals a New Picture of the Universe".
Aug 11, 2009 PRESS RELEASE
The 1m telescope at the Atacama Observatory has Started Scientific Operation, detecting the Hydrogen Emission Line from the Galactic Center in the Infrared Light
Apr 20, 2005 PRESS RELEASE
Silhouette Reveals Hidden Shape of Young Star's Envelope
Detailed new images of the starbirth nursery in the Omega Nebula (M17) have revealed a multi component structure in the envelope of dust and gas surrounding a very young star. The stellar newborn, called M17-SO1, has a flaring torus of gas and dust, and thin conical shells of material above and below the torus.