Tokyo Astronomical Observatory (before 1938)

Tokyo Astronomical Observatory, in its form before 1938, traces the roots of Japan's national astronomy back to Meiji-era Tokyo, through an earthquake, a relocation, and decades of solar observation.

About Tokyo Astronomical Observatory

This entity refers to the early Tokyo Astronomical Observatory, established in 1888 through the merger of three organisations: the Astronomical Observatory of Tokyo Imperial University, the Naval Meteorological Observatory, and the Geographical Bureau of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

History

The observatory was originally sited in Iikura, in Tokyo's Azabu Ward, until the building was destroyed in the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake. It was rebuilt and relocated to Mitaka in 1924, where a 20cm-diameter Carl Zeiss refractor was installed. That telescope began sunspot observations in 1938, a programme that ran continuously for 61 years, using an automatic clockwork drive to track the sun. The year 1938 also marks the beginning of Japan's contributions to radio astronomy.

Telescopes & research

The 20cm Carl Zeiss refractor at Mitaka was the key instrument of this era, dedicated to long-running solar observation with automatic tracking.

Location & getting there

The observatory's history spans two Tokyo sites: the original Iikura location in Azabu Ward, and the Mitaka site it moved to in 1924, both within Japan's Asia region.

Visiting Tokyo Astronomical Observatory

The pre-1938 institution itself no longer exists in this form, having evolved into what is now Japan's National Astronomical Observatory. Check current NAOJ channels for any public access to the Mitaka campus before planning a visit.

See your named star from here

This site's decades of solar tracking are a reminder of how precisely a telescope can be aimed at fixed coordinates, the same principle behind finding a named star. With a Star Register certificate, you get your own star's exact position to track down. Choose a star-naming package or browse the catalogue of named stars.