Astronomy has many fascinating challenges, one of which is the search for the possibility of life beyond our own planet. Astronomers from around the world are working hard to find out its signatures. There are various approaches to this research. One approach is to study our Sun and solar system in depth to understand how our parent star, the Sun, has affected the Earth in the past, present, and future. In addition, it has recently been discovered that distant stars have planetary systems similar to that of the Sun, and such stars are thought to have a variety of similar effects on the planets around them. Another area of exploration is the understanding of the various prominent objects, galaxies, and the universe itself.

To meet these challenges, Kyoto University Astronomical Observatory has world-class telescopes at Okayama Observatory and Hida Observatory. Okayama houses the Seimei Telescope, an optical-infrared telescope with a 3.8-meter aperture. It is operated in cooperation with the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan and is used not only by Kyoto University but also by researchers from all over Japan. The telescope is expected to play an active role in observing supernova explosions, stellar super-flares, and other outbursts, as well as exoplanets. At Hida Observatory, the Solar Magnetic Activity Telescope (SMART) is in operation, and the SDDI instrument attached to SMART tracks the motion of solar chromospheric plasma in detail and with high temporal resolution. The Domeless Solar Telescope (DST) continues its unique observations with one of the world's first class spectrographs.

We believe that the most important mission of the Kyoto University Astronomical Observatory is to continue to develop new observational instruments, such as adaptive optics and improved performance in polarimetric spectroscopy, in order to address cutting-edge scientific issues. A telescope can continue to be used for decades with careful maintenance, but it is by developing and installing new instruments by applying various ideas and state-of-the-art technologies to it that we can achieve cutting-edge research results.

The Kyoto University Astronomical Observatory participates in the framework of inter-university, the Optical and Infrared Synergetic Telescopes for Education and Research (OISTER), and has achieved results in the field of sudden astronomical phenomena in cooperation with universities all over Japan, including the Seimei Telescope. In solar observation, we are participating in JAXA/ ISAS's next generation solar observation satellite project, SOLAR-C, and are working on a proposal for a focal plane device to be installed on a large overseas telescope.

Kyoto University Astronomical Observatory faculty members contribute to graduate education in the Department of Astronomy of the Graduate School of Science, undergraduate education in the Faculty of Science, and basic physics and astronomy education for first and second year students, thus fostering the next generation. Researchers who have earned degrees through research at the observatory are active around the world. And, as part of our social cooperation (public relations), we hold telescope/facility open houses and observatory viewing activities, mainly at the Kwasan Observatory. We believe it is necessary not only to collaborate and cooperate with astronomers from all over the country and the world and researchers in neighboring fields to carry out research and education, but also to promote collaborative research that transcends disciplines. In order to open the way to the future, we need the support of young students with various personalities and society above all.

As described above, the Kyoto University Observatory will continue to operate with four pillars: (1) advanced astronomical research, (2) development of observational instruments using the latest technology, (3) participation and cooperation in domestic and international research communities and projects, and (4) education of next-generation researchers and social cooperation.

October 21, 2024
Takaaki Yokoyama, Director
(Translated by using DeepL from the Japanese version)