KYOTO, Japan — An optical infrared telescope with the largest mirror in Asia – about 12.5 feet in diameter – will be built to search for planets beyond our solar system.
A team led by Kyoto University and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan plans to start test observations using the new telescope, which will feature state-of-the-art equipment, in fiscal 2015. They are looking for a second solar system that could have planets like Earth.
The telescope will be built near the peak of Mount Chikurinji, a mountain that straddles Asakuchi and Yakage, both in Okayama Prefecture. This area, where NAOJ’s Okayama Astrophysical Observatory is also located, is blessed with a high percentage of clear days per year and stable atmospheric conditions.
Observations will be conducted with visible and infrared lights. The main mirror, which serves as the telescope’s eye by gathering celestial light, is about half the size of its counterpart in NAOJ’s Subaru Telescope, located on Hawaii Island.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.