News

2025

May 22, 2025 Press Release: A fierce storm in a giant barred spiral galaxy 11 billion years ago; ALMA has obtained detailed images of the gas distribution and motion in the barred spiral structure of a monster galaxy. The results reveal that this galaxy, which existed in the early universe, looks very similar to barred spiral galaxies in the present-day universe, but the gas within its barred structure is blowing violently and causing intense star formation. This is an important research result that adds new knowledge to the history of galaxy growth and evolution.
May 13, 2025 News: Japan–Chile Summit Discusses Cooperation in Space and Astronomy; On May 11, 2025, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held a summit meeting lasting approximately 70 minutes with President Gabriel Boric Font of the Republic of Chile, who was visiting Japan as a guest for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. The two leaders shared a sense of cultural closeness, particularly through their mutual interest in Japanese literature. Notably, they expressed hopes for further collaboration in the fields of space and astronomy, citing the commemorative ceremony marking the completion of the University of Tokyo Atacama Observatory (TAO) telescope site. Click here for the TAO webpage regarding this news.

Photo: quoted from the webpage of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
Mar 24, 2025 News: Associate Professor Shigeyuki Sako has been awarded the Shoichiro Yoshida Memorial Nikon Astronomy Achievement Award; Associate Professor Shigeyuki Sako of the Institute of Astronomy has been awarded the 2024 Shoichiro Yoshida Memorial Nikon Astronomy Achievement Award. This prestigious award, presented annually by the Japan Astronomical Foundation, honors researchers who have made remarkable contributions to the advancement of astronomical observation methods, particularly those involved in the development of cutting-edge astronomical instruments. The system, named "Tomo-e Gozen" — after the legendary warrior associated with Kiso — continues to operate at Kiso Observatory, capturing an impressive average of 8 terabytes of data per night. This unprecedented data stream has significantly contributed to the advancement of time-domain astronomy in Japan.
Feb 12, 2025 News: Big Data Science in the Beautiful Night Sky of Kiso; The ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of Kiso Observatory was held on December 8, 2024, at the Cultural Hall of Kiso Cultural Park in Kiso County, Nagano Prefecture, with many distinguished guests in attendance. Kiso Observatory was established in 1974 and has since fostered many astronomers and made significant astronomical contributions. As the only domestic observatory operated by the University of Tokyo, it has been dedicated to research and education, and in recent years has also focused on social engagement and regional collaboration.