A research group led by Maki Nagata, a graduate student in the Department of Astronomy at the Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, has discovered ten molecular clouds in the nearby barred spiral galaxy M83 that are moving at velocities significantly different from the galaxy’s disk rotation. This study systematically investigates high-velocity clouds (HVCs) composed of molecular gas, which had not previously been observed flowing into the galactic disk in nearby galaxies. Detecting the inflow of such high-density gas from outside the galaxy is expected to provide key insights into how galaxies sustain star formation over long timescales.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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