The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) is an astronomical research institute of the National Institutes for Natural Sciences (NINS), located in Minamimaki, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. The NAOJ operates telescopes at four sites in Hawaii, Chile, and Spain. The NAOJ was established in 1888 as the Tokyo Astronomical Observatory under the Meiji government. In 1920, it became a national observatory under the Ministry of Education and Science. In 1948, after World War II ended, it was placed under the control of NINS.
The primary mission of the NAOJ is to conduct cutting-edge astronomical research using some of the world’s most advanced telescopes. The NAOJ also strives to disseminate astronomical knowledge to Japanese citizens through public outreach programs and educational activities. Additionally, the NAOJ plays an important role in developing new technologies for use in astronomy; recent examples include sensitive infrared detectors and highly-stabilized laser systems.
The history of observational astronomy in Japan dates back to early times when Chinese astronomers were invited toJapan to observe comets and eclipses. These observations were documented in Japanese records such as the Engishikiand Kokushi Daijiten . By the late Heian period , Japanese astronomers were making their own independent observations with crude instruments such as wooden or bamboo tubes called kokudo-zuisho .
In 1609 , Galileo Galilei invented the telescope , ushering in a new era of astronomical observation . Not long afterwards , reports began trickling into Japan about this revolutionary device . In 1633 , two Dutch envoys presented Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu with a telescope ; another was given to Emperor Go-Mizunoo . From these beginnings , interest in Western astronomy gradually spread throughout Japan .
During most ofthe Edo period(1603–1868), however , isolationist policies kept foreigners outofJapanand limited contact withthe outside worldtoa minimum . As a result , therewas little opportunityforJapaneseastronomers totakeadvantageofthelatestdevelopmentsinthefieldofopticalastronomy beingmadeelsewhere .”