The first in Japan to be connected to space: the Mizusawa Campus of the National Astronomical Observatory (Iwate Prefecture)

Although the name sounds like a university, the National Astronomical Observatory Mizusawa Campus is actually an observatory of the National Astronomical Observatory

Its predecessor was the Mizusawa Latitude Observatory, the oldest existing National Astronomical Observatory, which opened in 1899 (Meiji 32). It is currently involved in cutting-edge lunar and planetary exploration and global projects to unravel the mysteries of the universe

The site is home to the Oshu Space Study Center, where you can learn about space in a fun way, and the Kimura Sakae Memorial Hall, which was opened to commemorate the achievements of the institute's first director, Kimura Sakae. Both are open to the public

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Mizusawa Latitude Observatory: The place that made Japan's astronomical observation technology known to the world

A latitude observatory is an observatory built to elucidate the slight movement of the Earth's polar axis (polar motion)

It was one of six latitude observatories at 39 degrees 8 minutes north latitude that were decided upon at the Universal Geodesy Society meeting held in 1898 (Meiji 31), and was founded in 1899 (Meiji 32)

In addition to Mizusawa, latitude observatories were established in three locations in the Americas (Gaithersburg, Cincinnati, and Ukiah), the Mediterranean island of Carloforte (Italy), and Chaljuy (present-day Turkmenistan) in Central Asia

The observation method involves using the same observation equipment to observe the same star every day and comparing the observation data

The Mizusawa Latitude Observatory continued its observations throughout World War II, unaffected by international events, and continued its role until 1987

During this time, from 1922 (Taisho 11) to 1936 (Showa 11) and from 1962 (Showa 37) to 1988 (Showa 63), it served as the central station for latitude observatories around the world

Since 1989, Mizusawa Latitude Observatory has been known as the Mizusawa VLBI Observatory, and as the base for the VERA (VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry) (*1) and RISE (Research of Interior Structure and Evolution of solar system bodies) lunar and planetary exploration projects (*2), it is involved in global projects to unravel the mysteries of the Earth and the universe, such as creating a three-dimensional map of the galaxy and lunar and planetary exploration

※1 Reference link ※2 Reference link

Tours of the National Astronomical Observatory Mizusawa Campus (open to the public) are free to do as you wish, but you can gain a deeper understanding by first stopping by the Oshu Space and Aerospace Museum and picking up a pamphlet

INFORMATION

• Facility name: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan Mizusawa Campus
• Address: 2-12 Hoshigaokacho, Mizusawa, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0197-22-7111
• Opening hours: 9:00-17:00
• Free to visit
• URL: http://www.miz.nao.ac.jp/

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Mizusawa Latitude Observatory, the starting point of Miyazawa Kenji

Miyazawa Kenji (1896-1933), known for works such as "Kaze no Matasaburo" and "Night on the Galactic Railroad," spent much of his life in his birthplace, Iwate Prefecture, but the origin of his work was the Mizusawa Latitude Observatory

Kenji frequently visited the Mizusawa Latitude Observatory, and based his experiences on these experiences he published "Kazeno Matasaburo" and "Night on the Galactic Railroad," which became the basis for "Kaze no Matasaburo."

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Oshu Space Museum: A fun way to explore the mysteries of space

The Oshu Space Science Museum is a science museum where you can learn about space and science in a fun way, using the former main building of the Mizusawa Campus of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan in Mizusawa, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture

At the Oshu Space Museum, there is a permanent exhibition of historical astronomical observation equipment that has been used at the Latitude Observatory and the National Astronomical Observatory, and you can also see the observation equipment (development model) installed on JAXA's (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) lunar probe

Other attractions include the permanent exhibition "Wind," which brings together materials related to Miyazawa Kenji and the Latitude Observatory, as well as the opportunity to touch meteorites and learn about planets through a 1:700 million scale solar system model. You can also enjoy the 4D2U 4D digital theater in the theater room. The impressive images of space viewed through 3D glasses are a must-see

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Oshu Space Museum
• Address: 2-12 Hoshigaokacho, Mizusawa, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0197-24-2020
• Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
• Admission fee: Adults and students 300 yen, students and children 150 yen
• Theater: Adults and students 200 yen, students and children 100 yen
• Closed: Tuesdays (or the following day if it is a public holiday), December 29th to January 3rd
• URL: http://uchuyugakukan.com/

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The Kimura Sakae Memorial Hall commemorates the achievements of Kimura Sakae, the first director of Mizusawa Latitude Observatory

When the Latitude Observatory was first opened in Mizusawa, Western scholars underestimated Japan's observation technology and were skeptical of it

However, Japan originally had the advanced surveying skills of people called astronomers who observed the stars to create calendars during the Edo period, and Kimura Hisashi (1870-1943), who was appointed as the first director, made a world-famous discovery called the "Z term" (*3), which solidified its position

※3Reference Links

The Kimura Sakae Memorial Museum displays documents related to Kimura's brilliant achievements, the visual zenith telescope (a telescope for observing the zenith) that was used from the beginning of the Latitude Observatory, valuable measuring instruments, and photographs showing the state of the observatory at the time

The building is the first main building of the Mizusawa Latitude Observatory, built in 1900 (Meiji 33), and even after the observatory's second main building, currently used as the Oshu Space Museum, was built in 1921 (Taisho 10), it continued to be used as a research laboratory until 1966 (Showa 41). It is designated as a national registered tangible cultural property

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Kimura Sakae Memorial Hall
• Address: 2-12 Hoshigaokacho, Mizusawa, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0197-24-2020 (Oshu Space Museum)
• Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (last entry at 16:30)
• Admission fee: Free
• Closed: Tuesdays (or the following day if it is a public holiday), December 29th to January 3rd
• URL: https://www.miz.nao.ac.jp/kimura/

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