Nanyo Observatory

Nanyo Observatory, formally the Nanyo Civil Astronomical Observatory, is an amateur facility in Nan'yo, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, with a notable record of asteroid discoveries.

About Nanyo Observatory

The observatory is run by the Nanyo Astronomical Lovers Club, a society founded in 1983, and sits at an elevation of around 252 metres in Nan'yo, Yamagata Prefecture. It contributes observations to the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center.

History

The observatory itself was founded in 1986, three years after the amateur society that runs it was established.

Telescopes & research

Nanyo Observatory has a significant record of asteroid discovery for an amateur facility, including the minor planets 7039 Yamagata and 8220 Nanyou, along with numerous other asteroids in the 30,000-designation range.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located in Nan'yo, in Yamagata Prefecture, in the Tohoku region of northern Japan, at an elevation of about 252 metres.

Visiting Nanyo Observatory

As a facility run by a local amateur astronomy club, opening times and any public viewing nights are best confirmed with the Nanyo Astronomical Lovers Club or local Yamagata tourism resources before visiting.

See your named star from here

An observatory with a discovery record like Nanyo's is a fitting place to look for the star you've named through star-register, using the exact coordinates provided on your certificate. Explore our star-naming packages or browse the star catalogue.