Usuda Star Dome

Usuda Star Dome (うすだスタードーム) is a public observatory located in Saku, Nagano, Japan.

Usuda Star Dome
Usuda Star Dome
OrganizationSaku City Board of Education
LocationSaku, Nagano (JPN)
Coordinates36.1929°N 138.4293°E / 36.1929; 138.4293
Altitude935m
EstablishedNovember 29, 1996 (1996-11-29)
Telescopes
600mm reflectorF12 Cassegrain
200mm refractorF10
200mm refractorF12
Location of Usuda Star Dome
Usuda Star Dome
Location of Usuda Star Dome

Saku is one of the best places for astronomical observation in Japan because of high altitude, high rate of sunny days, and limpid air.[1][2]

Visitors are allowed to watch stars through the large telescope from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

History

The observatory was founded by Usuda. It was transferred to (new) Saku on April 1, 2005 when Usuda has merged with (old) Saku, Mochizuki, and Asashina.

Telescopes

600 mm reflector
200 mm refractors

The main telescope of the observatory is 600 mm Cassegrain reflector constructed by Mitaka Kohki. It has the "Wonder Eye" flexible focal extending system which provides "barrier free" star watching.[3]

It is also equipped with two 200 mm refractors also constructed by Mitaka Kohki.

See also

References

  1. "Advanced Land Observing Satellite "DAICHI" (ALOS) - Topics". JAXA. 2002-02-08. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
  2. "Shinsyu SAKU 2016" (pdf). Saku City Tourism Association. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  3. "Wonder Eye (Mitaka Kohki Co., Ltd.)". Retrieved 2016-08-21.
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