Category of Astronomical Heritage: tangible immovable
Kwasan and Hido Observatories, Kyoto University, Japan
Format: IAU - Outstanding Astronomical Heritage
Description
Geographical position
Kwasan Observatory, Department of Astronomy, Kyoto University,
Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
- 1941-1972 -- The Ikomayama Solar Observatory was established.
- 1958 -- The Kwasan and Ikomayama Observatories were united under the Faculty of Science, Kyoto University
- 1968 -- Hida Observatory was established.
Location
Latitude 34°59’37’’ N, Longitude 135°47’37’’ E, Elevation 221m above mean sea level.
IAU observatory code
377
Description of (scientific/cultural/natural) heritage
Fig. 1. Issei YAMAMOTO (1889--1959), first director of Kyoto University Observatory (CC)
The beginnings -- Kyoto University Observatory
Astronomical research at Kyoto University dates back to the Kyoto Imperial University School of Science and Technology, established in 1897. The astronomers initially made their observations on the grounds of the University. The observation of Comet Finlay (15P/Finlay) by Tetsuo Sasaki was carried out during this period, and the term Kyoto Observatory was used as the observation base.
In 1921, the Department of Physics in the Faculty of Sciences was divided to create the Department of Astrophysics. The base of the university observatory was renamed "Kyoto University Observatory" after 1921.
But observation conditions became bad with the opening of the tramway near the university, and its relocation was considered. In 1927, the landowner donated the Hanayama grounds in Yamashina-cho, Uji-gun (at that time) to the university, and the observatory was built after two years of construction.
Fig. 2. Kwasan Observatory, aerial photo. From left to right: the main building, the annex, the museum, the new building, and the Taiyo-kan (© Kwasan Observatory, Kyoto University)
Kwasan Observatory -- an Institution of Kyoto University
Kwasan (Hanayama) Observatory (1929), constructed by the architect Saburo Okura (1900--1983), is located on one of the peaks of the "Higashiyama" moutains (Kazanyama, 221m) behind the famous "Kiyomizu temple", and had been the main observing station of the institute since its foundation in 1929.
Issei YAMAMOTO (1889--1959), Professor for Astronomy at the University Kyoto, became in 1920 the first president of the Oriental Astronomical Association (OAA) which he had initiated, and he was the first director of Kwasan Observatory in Kyoto. Yamamoto acted as a bridge between the researchers and amateur astronomers. Kwasan Observatory is a research and education facility for students and postgraduates of Kyoto University College of Science.
Kwasan Observatory, attached to the Kyoto Imperial University, was, together with the Tokyo Astronomical Observatory (now the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, NAOJ), attached to the Tokyo Imperial University, an astronomical research center in Japan.
In 1958, the observatory became an official observatory, attached to the Faculty of Science, along with Kyoto University’s Ikomayama Solar Observatory (created 1941, closed 1972).
The History Room was the first established building in the observatory as a Meridian Room. The facility was created to accurately correct the observatory’s clock. Now it is converted into a Museum Building.
Main Building: A 9m diameter dome was installed on the Main Building, inaugurated in 1927, and equipped with a 30-cm-Refracting telescope from Kyoto University (later it was replaced by a 45-cm-lens); the gravity-powered day-crawlers are still in operation.
Annex: In a 3-m-diameter dome, an 18-cm-Refracting telescope is installed; this oldest refracting telescope was purchased by Kyoto University in 1910 for observations of Halley’s Comet in Hanayama Observatory.
Solar Building: "Taiyoh-kan" (Solar House) with 70-cm-Coelostat (1961) for observing the Sun.
After the construction of Hida Observatory in 1968, Kwasan Observatory has been playing an important role as a research station for analyzing data.
The New building at Kwasan Observatory was completed in 1979 for e.g. the main Computer Room and the Video data analysis room.
Fig. 1. Hida Observatory, aerial photo (© Kwasan Observatory, Kyoto University)
Hida Observatory
The new Hida Observatory was founded in 1968 for having best observing conditions in the Japanese northern Alps.
From top to bottom, the Domeless Solar Telescope (DST), the dome of the 65-cm-Refractor, the dome of the 60-cm-Reflector, the main building for lodging and dining, and the Solar Magnetic Activity Research Telescope.
Research topics are:
Solar Physics using the DST and SMART,
Solar and Space Plasma Physics using theoretical, numerical, and observational methods, in order to resolve the puzzles of highly explosive phenomena in space, especially magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) explosions and jets, using observations of solar flare data, stellar flares, and variable stars, also X-ray data,
Stellar Physics, studying stellar atmospheric structure and chemical composition, stellar active phenomena, stellar winds, cataclysmic variable stars, black holes, accretion disks, gamma-ray bursts.
History
Kwasan Observatory, Department of Astronomy, Kyoto University,
Kitashirakawa-Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
- 1941-1972 -- The Ikomayama Solar Observatory was established.
- 1958 -- The Kwasan and Ikomayama Observatories were united under the Faculty of Science, Kyoto University
- 1968 -- Hida Observatory was established.
Location
Latitude 34°59’37’’ N, Longitude 135°47’37’’ E, Elevation 221m above mean sea level.
IAU observatory code
377
Description of (scientific/cultural/natural) heritage
Fig. 1. Issei YAMAMOTO (1889--1959), first director of Kyoto University Observatory (CC)
The beginnings -- Kyoto University Observatory
Astronomical research at Kyoto University dates back to the Kyoto Imperial University School of Science and Technology, established in 1897. The astronomers initially made their observations on the grounds of the University. The observation of Comet Finlay (15P/Finlay) by Tetsuo Sasaki was carried out during this period, and the term Kyoto Observatory was used as the observation base.
In 1921, the Department of Physics in the Faculty of Sciences was divided to create the Department of Astrophysics. The base of the university observatory was renamed "Kyoto University Observatory" after 1921.
But observation conditions became bad with the opening of the tramway near the university, and its relocation was considered. In 1927, the landowner donated the Hanayama grounds in Yamashina-cho, Uji-gun (at that time) to the university, and the observatory was built after two years of construction.
Fig. 2. Kwasan Observatory, aerial photo. From left to right: the main building, the annex, the museum, the new building, and the Taiyo-kan (© Kwasan Observatory, Kyoto University)
Kwasan Observatory -- an Institution of Kyoto University
Kwasan (Hanayama) Observatory (1929), constructed by the architect Saburo Okura (1900--1983), is located on one of the peaks of the "Higashiyama" moutains (Kazanyama, 221m) behind the famous "Kiyomizu temple", and had been the main observing station of the institute since its foundation in 1929.
Issei YAMAMOTO (1889--1959), Professor for Astronomy at the University Kyoto, became in 1920 the first president of the Oriental Astronomical Association (OAA) which he had initiated, and he was the first director of Kwasan Observatory in Kyoto. Yamamoto acted as a bridge between the researchers and amateur astronomers. Kwasan Observatory is a research and education facility for students and postgraduates of Kyoto University College of Science.
Kwasan Observatory, attached to the Kyoto Imperial University, was, together with the Tokyo Astronomical Observatory (now the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, NAOJ), attached to the Tokyo Imperial University, an astronomical research center in Japan.
In 1958, the observatory became an official observatory, attached to the Faculty of Science, along with Kyoto University’s Ikomayama Solar Observatory (created 1941, closed 1972).
The History Room was the first established building in the observatory as a Meridian Room. The facility was created to accurately correct the observatory’s clock. Now it is converted into a Museum Building.
Main Building: A 9m diameter dome was installed on the Main Building, inaugurated in 1927, and equipped with a 30-cm-Refracting telescope from Kyoto University (later it was replaced by a 45-cm-lens); the gravity-powered day-crawlers are still in operation.
Annex: In a 3-m-diameter dome, an 18-cm-Refracting telescope is installed; this oldest refracting telescope was purchased by Kyoto University in 1910 for observations of Halley’s Comet in Hanayama Observatory.
Solar Building: "Taiyoh-kan" (Solar House) with 70-cm-Coelostat (1961) for observing the Sun.
After the construction of Hida Observatory in 1968, Kwasan Observatory has been playing an important role as a research station for analyzing data.
The New building at Kwasan Observatory was completed in 1979 for e.g. the main Computer Room and the Video data analysis room.
Fig. 1. Hida Observatory, aerial photo (© Kwasan Observatory, Kyoto University)
Hida Observatory
The new Hida Observatory was founded in 1968 for having best observing conditions in the Japanese northern Alps.
From top to bottom, the Domeless Solar Telescope (DST), the dome of the 65-cm-Refractor, the dome of the 60-cm-Reflector, the main building for lodging and dining, and the Solar Magnetic Activity Research Telescope.
Research topics are:
Solar Physics using the DST and SMART,
Solar and Space Plasma Physics using theoretical, numerical, and observational methods, in order to resolve the puzzles of highly explosive phenomena in space, especially magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) explosions and jets, using observations of solar flare data, stellar flares, and variable stars, also X-ray data,
Stellar Physics, studying stellar atmospheric structure and chemical composition, stellar active phenomena, stellar winds, cataclysmic variable stars, black holes, accretion disks, gamma-ray bursts.
History
Latitude 34°59’37’’ N, Longitude 135°47’37’’ E, Elevation 221m above mean sea level.
IAU observatory code
377
Description of (scientific/cultural/natural) heritage
Fig. 1. Issei YAMAMOTO (1889--1959), first director of Kyoto University Observatory (CC)
The beginnings -- Kyoto University Observatory
Astronomical research at Kyoto University dates back to the Kyoto Imperial University School of Science and Technology, established in 1897. The astronomers initially made their observations on the grounds of the University. The observation of Comet Finlay (15P/Finlay) by Tetsuo Sasaki was carried out during this period, and the term Kyoto Observatory was used as the observation base.
In 1921, the Department of Physics in the Faculty of Sciences was divided to create the Department of Astrophysics. The base of the university observatory was renamed "Kyoto University Observatory" after 1921.
But observation conditions became bad with the opening of the tramway near the university, and its relocation was considered. In 1927, the landowner donated the Hanayama grounds in Yamashina-cho, Uji-gun (at that time) to the university, and the observatory was built after two years of construction.
Fig. 2. Kwasan Observatory, aerial photo. From left to right: the main building, the annex, the museum, the new building, and the Taiyo-kan (© Kwasan Observatory, Kyoto University)
Kwasan Observatory -- an Institution of Kyoto University
Kwasan (Hanayama) Observatory (1929), constructed by the architect Saburo Okura (1900--1983), is located on one of the peaks of the "Higashiyama" moutains (Kazanyama, 221m) behind the famous "Kiyomizu temple", and had been the main observing station of the institute since its foundation in 1929.
Issei YAMAMOTO (1889--1959), Professor for Astronomy at the University Kyoto, became in 1920 the first president of the Oriental Astronomical Association (OAA) which he had initiated, and he was the first director of Kwasan Observatory in Kyoto. Yamamoto acted as a bridge between the researchers and amateur astronomers. Kwasan Observatory is a research and education facility for students and postgraduates of Kyoto University College of Science.
Kwasan Observatory, attached to the Kyoto Imperial University, was, together with the Tokyo Astronomical Observatory (now the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, NAOJ), attached to the Tokyo Imperial University, an astronomical research center in Japan.
In 1958, the observatory became an official observatory, attached to the Faculty of Science, along with Kyoto University’s Ikomayama Solar Observatory (created 1941, closed 1972).
The History Room was the first established building in the observatory as a Meridian Room. The facility was created to accurately correct the observatory’s clock. Now it is converted into a Museum Building.
Main Building: A 9m diameter dome was installed on the Main Building, inaugurated in 1927, and equipped with a 30-cm-Refracting telescope from Kyoto University (later it was replaced by a 45-cm-lens); the gravity-powered day-crawlers are still in operation.
Annex: In a 3-m-diameter dome, an 18-cm-Refracting telescope is installed; this oldest refracting telescope was purchased by Kyoto University in 1910 for observations of Halley’s Comet in Hanayama Observatory.
Solar Building: "Taiyoh-kan" (Solar House) with 70-cm-Coelostat (1961) for observing the Sun.
After the construction of Hida Observatory in 1968, Kwasan Observatory has been playing an important role as a research station for analyzing data.
The New building at Kwasan Observatory was completed in 1979 for e.g. the main Computer Room and the Video data analysis room.
Fig. 1. Hida Observatory, aerial photo (© Kwasan Observatory, Kyoto University)
Hida Observatory
The new Hida Observatory was founded in 1968 for having best observing conditions in the Japanese northern Alps.
From top to bottom, the Domeless Solar Telescope (DST), the dome of the 65-cm-Refractor, the dome of the 60-cm-Reflector, the main building for lodging and dining, and the Solar Magnetic Activity Research Telescope.
Research topics are:
Solar Physics using the DST and SMART,
Solar and Space Plasma Physics using theoretical, numerical, and observational methods, in order to resolve the puzzles of highly explosive phenomena in space, especially magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) explosions and jets, using observations of solar flare data, stellar flares, and variable stars, also X-ray data,
Stellar Physics, studying stellar atmospheric structure and chemical composition, stellar active phenomena, stellar winds, cataclysmic variable stars, black holes, accretion disks, gamma-ray bursts.
History
377
Description of (scientific/cultural/natural) heritage
Fig. 1. Issei YAMAMOTO (1889--1959), first director of Kyoto University Observatory (CC)
The beginnings -- Kyoto University Observatory
Astronomical research at Kyoto University dates back to the Kyoto Imperial University School of Science and Technology, established in 1897. The astronomers initially made their observations on the grounds of the University. The observation of Comet Finlay (15P/Finlay) by Tetsuo Sasaki was carried out during this period, and the term Kyoto Observatory was used as the observation base.
In 1921, the Department of Physics in the Faculty of Sciences was divided to create the Department of Astrophysics. The base of the university observatory was renamed "Kyoto University Observatory" after 1921.
But observation conditions became bad with the opening of the tramway near the university, and its relocation was considered. In 1927, the landowner donated the Hanayama grounds in Yamashina-cho, Uji-gun (at that time) to the university, and the observatory was built after two years of construction.
Fig. 2. Kwasan Observatory, aerial photo. From left to right: the main building, the annex, the museum, the new building, and the Taiyo-kan (© Kwasan Observatory, Kyoto University)
Kwasan Observatory -- an Institution of Kyoto University
Kwasan (Hanayama) Observatory (1929), constructed by the architect Saburo Okura (1900--1983), is located on one of the peaks of the "Higashiyama" moutains (Kazanyama, 221m) behind the famous "Kiyomizu temple", and had been the main observing station of the institute since its foundation in 1929.
Issei YAMAMOTO (1889--1959), Professor for Astronomy at the University Kyoto, became in 1920 the first president of the Oriental Astronomical Association (OAA) which he had initiated, and he was the first director of Kwasan Observatory in Kyoto. Yamamoto acted as a bridge between the researchers and amateur astronomers. Kwasan Observatory is a research and education facility for students and postgraduates of Kyoto University College of Science.
Kwasan Observatory, attached to the Kyoto Imperial University, was, together with the Tokyo Astronomical Observatory (now the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, NAOJ), attached to the Tokyo Imperial University, an astronomical research center in Japan.
In 1958, the observatory became an official observatory, attached to the Faculty of Science, along with Kyoto University’s Ikomayama Solar Observatory (created 1941, closed 1972).
The History Room was the first established building in the observatory as a Meridian Room. The facility was created to accurately correct the observatory’s clock. Now it is converted into a Museum Building.
Main Building: A 9m diameter dome was installed on the Main Building, inaugurated in 1927, and equipped with a 30-cm-Refracting telescope from Kyoto University (later it was replaced by a 45-cm-lens); the gravity-powered day-crawlers are still in operation.
Annex: In a 3-m-diameter dome, an 18-cm-Refracting telescope is installed; this oldest refracting telescope was purchased by Kyoto University in 1910 for observations of Halley’s Comet in Hanayama Observatory.
Solar Building: "Taiyoh-kan" (Solar House) with 70-cm-Coelostat (1961) for observing the Sun.
After the construction of Hida Observatory in 1968, Kwasan Observatory has been playing an important role as a research station for analyzing data.
The New building at Kwasan Observatory was completed in 1979 for e.g. the main Computer Room and the Video data analysis room.
Fig. 1. Hida Observatory, aerial photo (© Kwasan Observatory, Kyoto University)
Hida Observatory
The new Hida Observatory was founded in 1968 for having best observing conditions in the Japanese northern Alps.
From top to bottom, the Domeless Solar Telescope (DST), the dome of the 65-cm-Refractor, the dome of the 60-cm-Reflector, the main building for lodging and dining, and the Solar Magnetic Activity Research Telescope.
Research topics are:
Solar Physics using the DST and SMART,
Solar and Space Plasma Physics using theoretical, numerical, and observational methods, in order to resolve the puzzles of highly explosive phenomena in space, especially magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) explosions and jets, using observations of solar flare data, stellar flares, and variable stars, also X-ray data,
Stellar Physics, studying stellar atmospheric structure and chemical composition, stellar active phenomena, stellar winds, cataclysmic variable stars, black holes, accretion disks, gamma-ray bursts.
History
Fig. 1. Issei YAMAMOTO (1889--1959), first director of Kyoto University Observatory (CC)
The beginnings -- Kyoto University Observatory
Astronomical research at Kyoto University dates back to the Kyoto Imperial University School of Science and Technology, established in 1897. The astronomers initially made their observations on the grounds of the University. The observation of Comet Finlay (15P/Finlay) by Tetsuo Sasaki was carried out during this period, and the term Kyoto Observatory was used as the observation base.
In 1921, the Department of Physics in the Faculty of Sciences was divided to create the Department of Astrophysics. The base of the university observatory was renamed "Kyoto University Observatory" after 1921.
But observation conditions became bad with the opening of the tramway near the university, and its relocation was considered. In 1927, the landowner donated the Hanayama grounds in Yamashina-cho, Uji-gun (at that time) to the university, and the observatory was built after two years of construction.
Fig. 2. Kwasan Observatory, aerial photo. From left to right: the main building, the annex, the museum, the new building, and the Taiyo-kan (© Kwasan Observatory, Kyoto University)
Kwasan Observatory -- an Institution of Kyoto University
Kwasan (Hanayama) Observatory (1929), constructed by the architect Saburo Okura (1900--1983), is located on one of the peaks of the "Higashiyama" moutains (Kazanyama, 221m) behind the famous "Kiyomizu temple", and had been the main observing station of the institute since its foundation in 1929.
Issei YAMAMOTO (1889--1959), Professor for Astronomy at the University Kyoto, became in 1920 the first president of the Oriental Astronomical Association (OAA) which he had initiated, and he was the first director of Kwasan Observatory in Kyoto. Yamamoto acted as a bridge between the researchers and amateur astronomers. Kwasan Observatory is a research and education facility for students and postgraduates of Kyoto University College of Science.
Kwasan Observatory, attached to the Kyoto Imperial University, was, together with the Tokyo Astronomical Observatory (now the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, NAOJ), attached to the Tokyo Imperial University, an astronomical research center in Japan.
In 1958, the observatory became an official observatory, attached to the Faculty of Science, along with Kyoto University’s Ikomayama Solar Observatory (created 1941, closed 1972).
The History Room was the first established building in the observatory as a Meridian Room. The facility was created to accurately correct the observatory’s clock. Now it is converted into a Museum Building.
Main Building: A 9m diameter dome was installed on the Main Building, inaugurated in 1927, and equipped with a 30-cm-Refracting telescope from Kyoto University (later it was replaced by a 45-cm-lens); the gravity-powered day-crawlers are still in operation.
Annex: In a 3-m-diameter dome, an 18-cm-Refracting telescope is installed; this oldest refracting telescope was purchased by Kyoto University in 1910 for observations of Halley’s Comet in Hanayama Observatory.
Solar Building: "Taiyoh-kan" (Solar House) with 70-cm-Coelostat (1961) for observing the Sun.
After the construction of Hida Observatory in 1968, Kwasan Observatory has been playing an important role as a research station for analyzing data.
The New building at Kwasan Observatory was completed in 1979 for e.g. the main Computer Room and the Video data analysis room.
Fig. 1. Hida Observatory, aerial photo (© Kwasan Observatory, Kyoto University)
Hida Observatory
The new Hida Observatory was founded in 1968 for having best observing conditions in the Japanese northern Alps.
From top to bottom, the Domeless Solar Telescope (DST), the dome of the 65-cm-Refractor, the dome of the 60-cm-Reflector, the main building for lodging and dining, and the Solar Magnetic Activity Research Telescope.
Research topics are:
Solar Physics using the DST and SMART,
Solar and Space Plasma Physics using theoretical, numerical, and observational methods, in order to resolve the puzzles of highly explosive phenomena in space, especially magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) explosions and jets, using observations of solar flare data, stellar flares, and variable stars, also X-ray data,
Stellar Physics, studying stellar atmospheric structure and chemical composition, stellar active phenomena, stellar winds, cataclysmic variable stars, black holes, accretion disks, gamma-ray bursts.