Ishigakijima Astronomical Observatory

Ishigakijima Astronomical Observatory sits atop Mount Maesedake on Ishigaki Island in Japan's Yaeyama Islands, run by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan under some of the country's darkest, clearest skies.

About Ishigakijima Astronomical Observatory

Established in 2002 and operational from 1 April 2006, the facility is jointly run by six organisations, including the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) and the University of the Ryukyus. It sits at around 200 metres elevation and benefits from roughly 300 clear nights a year, along with low urban light pollution and minimal jet-stream disturbance.

Telescopes & research

The observatory's main instrument is the Murikabushi Telescope, a 105-centimetre optical-infrared reflector, the largest telescope in the Kyushu-Okinawa region. Its name comes from the local Yaeyama Islands word for the Pleiades star cluster. Research at the site focuses on Solar System objects and transient astronomical events.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located on Ishigaki Island in Japan's Yaeyama Islands, a subtropical island chain known for exceptionally clear night skies far from major city lights.

Visiting Ishigakijima Astronomical Observatory

The observatory runs public outreach programmes, including open facility days and stargazing parties; check the official Murikabushi website for current opening times and event schedules before visiting.

See your named star from here

The Murikabushi Telescope takes its name from the Pleiades, and a facility built to study star clusters is equally capable of locating a single point in the sky, the coordinates of your named star. Find your star's details in the catalogue.