Overview
History
Kiso Observatory was founded in 1974 as the fifth branch observatory
of the Tokyo Astronomical Observatory, University of Tokyo,
which is one of the Japanese national universities that belong to
the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (MESC).
The main objectives of Kiso Observatory stated at the time of
foundation were `observational researches of various astronomical
objects in and outside our Galaxy with the 105~cm Schmidt telescope,
and observation of the night sky light.
' It was also stated that `research facilities of Kiso Observatory
shall be open to visiting astronomers as well as to the staff and
students of the University of Tokyo.'
Ever since, Kiso Observatory has been accepting visiting astronomers
who want to use its research facilities.
On July 1, 1988, Kiso Observatory was reformed as a university
observatory belonging to the Institute of Astronomy, Faculty of
Science, University of Tokyo, when the Tokyo Astronomical
Observatory was removed from the University of Tokyo to be
reorganized as a new institution, the National Astronomical
Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) operated directly by MESC.
Kiso Observatory is open to astronomers in both domestic and
foreign institutions.
This is because the facilities at Kiso are of primary importance
in many fields of astronomy.
The principle of common use of important facilities is encouraged
by MESC, and a limited amount of travel expenses for astronomers
from domestic institutions was granted at the time of the reform.
Reasearch Activities
Researches at Kiso Observatory have been primarily based on the
105cm Schmidt telescope and related facilities installed in 1974,
but continuous efforts have been made to enhance research facilities
and activities. An image data processing system was introduced
in 1985,
and large coordinated efforts were devoted to the development of
a software package for interactive astronomical image data processing.
Visiting astronomers who used the image data processing system
increased continuously since 1986.
Photographic imaging was virtually a sole method of observation
for two decades at Kiso since the opening of Kiso Observatory.
However, in need of deeper images to study the distant and faint
objects, the observatory started to develop a CCD camera in 1987.
In 1993, a CCD camera with 1024x1024 pixels was made available to
visiting astronomers.
Subsequently the development of a larger CCD camera with 2040x2040
pixels was completed in 1997.
It covers a wide view of 50'x50' on the focal plane of the Schmidt
telescope enabling the observers to make a quick and deep imaging.
They were widely accepted by Kiso users as new major tools to
investigate the deep sky objects.
Although infrared imaging arrays is now one of the main tools for
the modern astronomy, it has never been used in wide field
observations.
After an intense survey of the capabilities of the Schmidt telescope
in the near-infrared wavelengths, it was decided that design and
construction of an infrared camera should start at Kiso Observatory.
Construction of a proto-type camera started in 1993 and was finished
successfully in 1995.
This camera has been available since 1996 by the visiting astronomers.
Another method to effectively use a wide field of view of the
Schmidt telescope is the multi-object spectroscopy.
A plausibility study of this type of observation started this year.
The emergence of new instruments, the 2KCCD and PtSi cameras,
required a new control and data-acquisition system for the
Schmidt observations. The control system based on the old personal
computer has been replaced by a more sophisticated one with a
modern work station network. Another big change about the computer
network was the installation of the optical fiber in the Kiso
Observatory.
Now, the Observatory is connected to internet with 64 kps cable.
On the other hand, we cannot overlook the aging of our facilities
either, some of which were installed 25 years ago, at the opening of
Kiso Observatory.
Continued efforts will be required in the future to maintain the
telescope in good working condition.
Applications to the Kiso Observatory
Kiso Observatory invites research programs on a yearly basis
(April - March).
However, important programs could be accepted at any time.
Scheduling of the facilities is made quarterly.
The principal investigators and collaborators of the accepted research
programs are asked to submit proposals of visiting date to the
Observatory every quarter of a year to carry out the programs.
The Observatory adjusts their schedules to grant time for use of
the Schmidt, image data processing system, dark rooms, and plate
measuring machines.
Then, the fixed schedule is notified to the principal investigators
who proposed visiting Kiso are notified of the fixed schedule.
Deadlines for proposals of visits for Apr. - May, Jun. - Sep., Oct.
- Dec., and Jan. - Apr. are 20 Feb., 20 May, 20
Aug., and 20 Nov., respectively. A Users' Manual
(written in Japanese) is available on request.
Committee, Meetings, Publications
Principles related to the common use of Kiso Observatory are discussed
in the Kiso Users' Committee. Symposia which are closely
related to the research projects at Kiso include `Schmidt Symposium'
held around August each year, the `NAOJ Okayama and Dodaira Users'
Meeting', and the `Symposium on Astronomical Technology.
' The latter two are also held every year.
A Newsletter `Kiso Tenkai' (written in Japanese) is published quarterly,
at the beginning of February, May, August and November.
Report of the Kiso Observatory was published until 1988 as 15 issues
of `Kiso Information Bulletin' (KIB); Vol. 1, No. 1 was
published in June 1979, and the last issue Vol. 2, No. 5 in March 1988.
KIB was succeeded at the time of the reform by a new series
of `the Annual Report of the Kiso Observatory', which is published
once a year.
Although it is a new series of publication, the Annual Report is,
in many respects, a continuation of the Kiso Information Bulletin.
Postal Address
Kiso Observatory,
Institute of Astronomy,
The University of Tokyo
Mitake 10762-30, Kiso-machi, Kiso-gun,
Nagano-ken 397-0101
JAPAN
Telephone number
+81-264-52-3360
Facsimile number
+81-264-52-3361