NAOJ

The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, commonly known as NAOJ, is a research institution responsible for astronomical observations in Japan. Established in 1988, it is a national inter-university research institute that operates under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. NAOJ's primary mission is to advance astronomical research and education, both domestically and internationally.

NAOJ manages and operates a variety of advanced astronomical facilities. These include the Subaru Telescope, a 10-meter optical-infrared telescope located at the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. It also operates the Nobeyama Radio Observatory in Nagano, which houses a 45-meter radio telescope and the 65-meter millimeter-wave radio telescope. Furthermore, NAOJ is involved in projects like the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile, a collaborative international observatory.

The research conducted at NAOJ spans a wide range of astronomical fields, including cosmology, extragalactic astronomy, stellar astrophysics, planetary science, and solar physics. NAOJ also plays a crucial role in public outreach and education, aiming to foster interest in astronomy among the general public and nurture the next generation of astronomers. Its facilities and research contribute significantly to the global understanding of the universe.