Nihondaira Observatory

Nihondaira Observatory sits on a hill overlooking Shimizu, Japan, and has quietly built one of the country's more productive records of asteroid discovery since it opened in 1967.

About Nihondaira Observatory

Also known as Oohira Station and carrying the observatory code 385, Nihondaira sits at 303 metres elevation above Shimizu and is often referred to simply by its broader location, Shizuoka.

History

The observatory was founded in 1967. By 2007 it had been credited with 163 minor-planet discoveries and ranked 43rd worldwide for the number of asteroids found from a single site.

Telescopes & research

Much of that record belongs to astronomer Takeshi Urata, who made numerous minor-planet discoveries from the site. The observatory's own legacy is honoured in the sky: asteroid 2880 Nihondaira, discovered by astronomer Tsutomu Seki, is named for it.

Location & getting there

Nihondaira Observatory sits on a hill above Shimizu, in Japan's Asia region, at an elevation of 303 metres.

Visiting Nihondaira Observatory

Check current opening times and any admission details online or with local tourism sources before visiting, as these can change.

See your named star from here

A site with this many asteroid discoveries to its name is a fitting place to think about the stars, too. A star you've named through Star Register has a fixed right ascension and declination that can be located from Nihondaira or almost anywhere else; check our catalogue or see our packages to name one.