About the Regular Stargazing Parties
What are the Regular Stargazing Parties?
Regular Stargazing Parties are held twice per month at NAOJ Mitaka Campus (limited capacity, reservations required). In cities, street lamps conceal the dark night sky. But that doesn’t change the fact that even now the Universe stretches out over our heads. We want many people to experience the splendor and wonder of the Universe and embrace an interest in astronomy at these Regular Stargazing Parties.
Some of the event staff can speak English, but the Regular Stargazing Parties are conducted primarily in Japanese. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Objects Observed
The chosen observation targets are concentrated around the Moon, planets, and double stars which are easy to observe in Tokyo’s bright night sky. With the 50-cm Telescope for Public Outreach, the impressive craters on the Moon, Jupiter’s striped pattern and the Galilean Satellites, Saturn’s Ring, etc. can be seen clearly. The colors of bright stars can also be easily discerned; second magnitude stars appear very beautiful.
Sometimes the observation targets also include faint objects like nebulae and star clusters. We choose relatively easy to observe celestial objects, but in truth they look paler than what is seen in photos.
Order of Events at the Regular Star Parties (during 2023)
We resume Stargazing at NAOJ Mitaka onsite event partially from November 2022. The event will be carried in following order to prevent re-spreading of coronavirus.
Belongings
- Transmission of lottery results (email screen or printout)
- (winter season) Cold Weather Wear/Gear, (summer season) Heatstroke Measures, Insect Repellent etc.
1. Reception
Venue opens 10 minutes prior to reception time. The reception time slot is separated for each first/latter half group to avoid congestion.
All participants will have measures to prevent infection. Until the reception starts, please wait outside.
- Please sanitize your hands and check body temperature before entering the facility.
- We will check your lottery result at the reception. Please show the transmission mail screen or printout.
- After reception, we will direct you to the lecture room. Please wait in your seat.
2. Orientation
First, in a lecture room there is a simple explanation in Japanese about that night’s observational targets. The explanation is given by undergraduate or graduate students conducting research in astronomy. They work hard to come up with new material for each time. Please enjoy it.
3. The 50-cm Telescope for Public Outreach
- Next, everyone relocates to the 50-cm Telescope for Public Outreach and observes that night’s target objects (in fine weather※, about 20 minutes.)
- ※ In the case of rain or bad weather, a tour of the 50-cm Telescope for Public Outreach will be offered (Telescope tours aren’t possible when it is raining) instead of astronomical observations.
- Stargazing is offered in "Digital Viewing" style: viewing telescope images projected on a display† (we don't look through the telescope)
- † We would appreciate your understanding to avoid infection risk through touching telescope eye pieces.
- We will dismiss at site.
4. Astronomical Observations with Small Telescopes
Observation with the small telescopes is not offered during temporal operation.
Precautions
- Q&A desk, poster exhibition are not offered for the time being.
- Please wear a mask according to the situations (you have several occasion for face-to-face conversations)
- Please be aware of no food in venue except water supply.
- Stargazing is offered in "Digital Viewing" style: viewing telescope images projected on a display
- Event will dismiss at a telescope dome.
- Paid parking provides extended hours during stargazing event.
Order of Events at the Regular Star Parties (normal time)
1. Reception
First, in a lecture room there is a simple explanation in Japanese about that night’s observational targets. The explanation is given by undergraduate or graduate students conducting research in astronomy. They work hard to come up with new material for each time. Please enjoy.
2. Orientation
First, in a lecture room there is a simple explanation in Japanese about that night’s observational targets. The explanation is given by undergraduate or graduate students conducting research in astronomy. They work hard to come up with new material for each time. Please enjoy.
3. The 50-cm Telescope for Public Outreach
Next, everyone relocates to the 50-cm Telescope for Public Outreach and observes that night’s target objects. We use the waiting time to explain the constellations and planets visible that night (minimal English).
4. Astronomical Observations with Small Telescopes
After observations with the 50-cm Telescope for Public Outreach are finished, please enjoy observations with the small telescopes prepared near the dome (minimal English). The observational targets of the small telescopes are not predetermined; they are chosen flexibly, based on the state of the clouds that evening. After observations are finished, you are free to leave at your own leisure. Please take care as you return home.
In the case of rain or bad weather, astronomical observations can’t be conducted.
The explanation will be extended by about 15-20 minutes.
Instead of astronomical observations, commentary using the Four Dimensional Digital Universe visualization software Mitaka or a tour of the 50-cm Telescope for Public Outreach will be offered (both minimal English). (Telescope tours aren’t possible when it is raining.)
Whether astronomical observations will be conducted or canceled will be announced that day via Twitter (Japanese language only.) Please check this on the day of the Regular Stargazing Party.
About the 50-cm Telescope for Public Outreach
The 50-cm Telescope for Public Outreach was established in 1994, with public access as one of the primary motivations. Regular Stargazing Parties with this telescope started in 1996. Since then, many people have experienced the wonder of astronomical observations. In addition to Regular Stargazing Parties, the telescope is used for activities like comet research observations, capturing images for public outreach, and student practice observations.
| Configuration | Cassegrain Reflecting Telescope |
|---|---|
| Mount | Equatorial Fork |
| Aperture (Primary Mirror Diameter) | 50 centimeters |
| Focal Length | 6030 millimeters |
| Resolving power | 0.3 arcseconds (theoretical limit) |
| Light Gathering Power | About 5000 times that of the naked eye |
| Limiting Magnitude for Observing by Eye | 16th Magnitude (ideal sky conditions) |
| Limiting Magnitude with the Cooled CCD | 21st Magnitude (in Mitaka with ideal sky conditions) |