[Mizusawa City, Iwate Prefecture] Japan's first “National Astronomical Observatory Mizusawa Campus” connected to space

``National Astronomical Observatory of Japan Mizusawa Campus'' may sound like a university, but it is an observatory of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. Its predecessor was the Latitude Observatory (Mizusawa Latitude Observatory), which opened in 1899 (Meiji 32) and is the oldest existing National Astronomical Observatory.Currently, it is involved in cutting-edge lunar and planetary exploration and global projects to understand the universe. I am. On the grounds are the Oshu Space Museum, where you can enjoy learning about space, and the Kimura Sakae Memorial Hall, which was opened to honor the achievements of the first director, Sakae Kimura, and is open to the public.

Mizusawa Latitude Observatory, which introduced Japan's astronomical observation technology to the world

A latitude observatory is an observatory built to study the slight movement of the Earth's polar axis (polar motion). It was established in 1899 (Meiji 32) as one of the six latitude observatories at 39 degrees 8 minutes north latitude that were decided to be established at the Universal Geodesy Association held in 1898 (Meiji 31). Ta. In addition to Mizusawa, latitudinal observatories were located at three locations on the American continent (Gaithersburg, Cincinnati, and Ukiah), on the Mediterranean island of Carlo Forte (Italy), and in Charjui (now Turkmenistan) in Central Asia. The observation method is to observe the same star every day using the same observation equipment and compare the observation data.

The Mizusawa Latitude Observatory continued to conduct observations unaffected by the international situation during World War II, and continued to fulfill its role until 1987. During that period, from 1922 (Taisho 11) to 1936 (Showa 11), and from 1962 (Showa 37) to 1988 (Showa 63), it functioned as a central station for latitude observatories around the world. I am in charge.

"Mizusawa Latitude Observatory" has been renamed "Mizusawa VLBI Observatory" since 1989, and is used for VERA (Various Astronomical Accuracy Telescope/VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry) (*1) and RISE (Research of Interior Structure and Evolution of solar As the base for the Lunar and Planetary Exploration Project (*2), it is involved in worldwide projects to unravel the mysteries of the Earth and space, including the creation of 3D maps of the galaxy and lunar and planetary exploration.

*1 Reference link *2 Reference link

Touring the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan Mizusawa Campus (public parts) is free, but you can get a better understanding by first stopping at the Oshu Space Museum and receiving a pamphlet.

INFORMATION

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

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Mizusawa Latitude Observatory, the origin of Kenji Miyazawa

Kenji Miyazawa (1896-1933), known for works such as ``Kaze no Matasaburo'' and ``Night on the Galaxy Railway,'' spent most of his life in his native Iwate Prefecture, but the origin of his works is ``Mizusawa Latitude.'' It was an observatory. Kenji often visited the Mizusawa Latitude Observatory, and based on his experiences he published ``Matasaburo Kazeno'', which was the original work for ``Matasaburo Kazeno'', and ``Night on the Galactic Railway''.

``Oshu Space Museum'' where you can enjoy exploring the mysteries of the universe

"Oshu Space Museum" is a science museum located in the former main building of the National Astronomical Observatory Mizusawa Campus in Mizusawa, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture, where you can enjoy learning about space and science.

At the Oshu Space Museum, historical astronomical observation equipment used at the Latitude Observatory and the National Astronomical Observatory is on permanent display, as well as equipment installed on the JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) lunar probe. You can also tour the observation equipment (development model). You can also see the permanent exhibit ``Wind'' that collects materials related to Kenji Miyazawa and the ``Latitude Observatory,'' touch a meteorite, and learn about the planets with a 1:700 million scale model of the solar system. In addition, you can enjoy the 4D digital theater 4D2U in the theater room. Don't miss the impressive images of space seen through 3D glasses.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Oshu Space Museum
• Address: 2-12 Mizusawa Hoshigaokacho, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 0197-24-2020
• Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (Admission until 16:30)
• Admission fee: Adult students 300 yen, students and children 150 yen
• Theater/Adults: 200 yen, students: 100 yen
• Closed: Tuesdays (the next 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 honors the achievements of Sakae Kimura, the first director of the Mizusawa Latitude Observatory.

When the Latitude Observatory was first opened in Mizusawa, Western scholars underestimated Japan's observation technology and were suspicious of it. However, Japan originally had advanced surveying techniques from people called astronomers, who observed stars in order to create a calendar during the Edo period. Hisashi (1870-1943)'s worldwide discovery of the "Z term" (*3) secured this position.

※3Reference link

The ``Kimura Sakae Memorial Museum'' contains materials about Kimura's brilliant achievements, the visual zenithoscope (telescope for observing the zenith) and valuable measuring instruments that were used from the beginning of the ``Latitude Observatory'', as well as the original observation room. Photos showing the situation are on display. The building is the first main building of the Mizusawa Latitude Observatory, built in 1900 (Meiji 33), and the second main building of the observatory, which is currently used as the Oshu Space Museum, was built in 1921 (Taisho 10). Even after that, it was used as a research laboratory until 1966. It has been designated as a nationally registered tangible cultural property.

INFORMATION

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

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