Proceedings of International Conference on Technology and Social Science 2017
KEYNOTE

Gunma Astronomical Observatory and its InternationalActivities
Osamu Hashimoto1, a, Hakim L. Malasan2, b and Yoshihide Kozai1, 3, 4
1
2Gunma Astronomical Observatory, 6860-86 Nakayama, Takayama, Gunma 377-0702, Japan

Astronomy, FMIPA Institute of Technology Bandung, Jl. Ganesa 10 Bandung 40132, Indonesia
3National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, 2-21-1 Osawa, Mitaka Tokyo, 181-8588 Japan
4The Japan Academy, 7-32 Ueno Park, Taito, Tokyo 110-0008, Japana<osamu@astron.pref.gunma.jp>, b< hakim@as.itb.ac.id >Keywords: astronomical observatory, international collaborations, astronomy in south-east Asia

Abstract. Gunma Astronomical Observatory (GAO) is a public observatory operated by the local
government of Gunma prefecture. Its main telescope is a 150-cm reflector, which is not designed
only for scientific research but for star gazing by public people. GAO has carried out a number ofinternational activities with various countries. Many of them were cooperative works with
South-East Asian countries. In 2002, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between GAO andInstitute of Technology Bandung (ITB), Indonesia was signed in which both institutions worked
together in various fields of astronomical research and education for many years. GAO has madesome significant contributions to the establishment of the South-East Asia Astronomical Network(SEAAN), which leads the rapid development of Astronomy in the South-East Asian countries by
their international collaborations for themselves.

1. Introduction
Gunma Astronomical Observatory (GAO) is located in Takayama village in Gunma about 120 km
north-west of Tokyo. It is a public observatory established in 1999 by Gunma prefectural
government aiming at effective education and public outreach of astronomy for all kinds of people inaddition to scientific researches by professional astronomers. All the telescopes and facilities aredesigned as visitors can vividly see the real scenes of science of astronomy and astrophysics with theexperiences of real universe. Its main telescope is a 150-cm reflector (see Fig.1) equipped with somepowerful measuring instruments for high grade scientific researches [1]. Even such a professional
research telescope has an eyepiece system for the star gazing by public visitors. As it was the largesttelescope far beyond the second in the world as a telescope applicable to the public star gazing when
it was built, GAO is regarded as a pioneer of public observatories equipped with such a large
telescope of full scientific capability. A number of unique programs have been proposed and carriedout actively taking all the advantages of the powerful facilities of GAO in all fields of education,
public outreach and scientific research. Among them there are a significant number of international
activities with various countries. Many of them are cooperative works with the South-East Asiancountries [2].
2. Telescopes and facilities of GAO
The main telescope of GAO is the 150-cm which has a full capability for the scientific observationsof high standard equipped with powerful measuring instruments. The Gunma Astronomical
Observatory Echélle Spectrograph (GAOES) is a high resolution echélle spectrograph set at theProceedings of International Conference on Technology and Social Science 2017
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Nasmyth platform [3,4]. It is the most powerful instrument of GAO, providing very detailed
information of physics about stars through a spectrum of extremely high wavelength resolution up to
R = λ/δλ ~ 105. The Gunma Infra-Red Camera and Spectrograph (GIRCS) at the Cassegrain focus
and the Gunma LOW resolution Spectrograph (GLOWS) at the bent-Cassegrain focus are very
powerful as well for the scientific researches of astronomy [5]. Using those measuring instrumentson the 150-cm telescope a lot of scientific observations have been carried out. Most of them arestudies of stellar astrophysics based on spectroscopic observations [2]. .

Fig. 1 GAO 150-cm reflector and its
observation instruments.
GAOES: high resolution spectrograph
GIRCS: NIR camera / spectrograph
GLOWS: low resolution spectrograph

GAOESGIRCS
GLOWS

An eyepiece system at the Nasmyth focus of opposite side of GAOES provides opportunities of star
gazing through such a large telescope for the visitors of all kinds. Photons gathered by the large
aperture of the telescope can show interesting aspects of astrophysics in the stellar light seen by ahuman eye as well as the beautiful images of stellar objects. In addition to the differences of colors
from star to star, it is quite impressive that various features in stellar spectra can be directly seen
through the large telescope. A spectroscopic eyepiece system has been developed recently. It can
provide a direct image and a spectrum of the star simultaneously at two separate viewing points
respectively. Observers can easily understand the physical meanings of the spectrum and the color
through the simultaneous comparison of them.
There are some smaller telescopes in addition to the main telescope. A 65-cm reflector on an
equatorial mount, six sets of 25-30 cm reflectors and some portable telescopes are used for various
kinds of star gazing programs for the public visitors [6]. They are also used by amateur astronomers
for their observations on weekends. In the daytime of sunny day, a 30-cm solar telescope on therooftop provides a direct image of sun as large as one meter in diameter and a high resolution
spectrum on the screens in the exhibition area simultaneously. Those real time solar exhibitions are
not only attractive and popular for the daytime visitors but they also can be quite effective tools forthe studies of solar and stellar astrophysics by students at university and high school levels.

Proceedings of International Conference on Technology and Social Science 2017
KEYNOTEAs GAO works as a science museum of astronomy and astrophysics in daytime, it has unique
exhibits of various kinds in the exhibition area [6]. Most of them are designed as visitors can study
by themselves. A scale model of the 150-cm reflector and its real size dummy weight of primary
mirror explain how a large telescope works. Comparison of two telescopes with different aperturesizes shows why larger telescopes are required for the astronomical observations. Some exhibition
items explain the basic principles of observations from the view point of astrophysics. One exhibit
shows clear difference of spectra between a filament lamp and a fluorescent lamp, while both lamps
look quite similar for human eyes. It explains how we can understand the detailed physics of distantobjects through the spectroscopic observations without touching them directly. Several PCs andvideo tools are used for various sorts of explanations. Interesting characteristics of some individual
stars and basic concepts of astronomical observations are provided by them.
GAO looks like a natural park since it is surrounded by natural woods in the mountain area. There
are two monuments recalling astronomical instruments of the ancient [6]. One is a scale model ofJantar Mantar, which was originally built and used in India in the 18th century. It consists of anumber of measuring graduators. The other is a stone circle, which was inspired by Stonehenge inEngland. Both are redesigned as they can be used for real astronomical observations at GAO.
Visitors can enjoy historical feeling as well in addition to the most advanced astronomy andastrophysics as a modern science.
3. International activities of GAO
Using the facilities of GAO we have carried out a number of international activities with variouscountries. Many of them were cooperative works with South-East Asian countries. Our international
collaborations have never been realized only based on any interests of physical materials but on
mutual understanding and mutual exchange of human resources for working together on an equal
footing. There are a number of good telescopes and measuring instruments already in many ofSouth-East Asian countries. But, occasionally they are not used so actively as they can produce
scientific results sufficiently enough. Such situations have been caused mainly by the lack of local
human resources who can use their valuable observation equipments properly. Therefore, we havemuch devoted ourselves to support young people who really work using their own facilities forthemselves. We have received young astronomers and students from various countries. Many ofthem have stayed in Gunma for a period longer than a few months in order to experience sufficientamount of astronomical studies using the telescopes and instruments at GAO. Some senior visitors
have stayed for a long period as well. Astronomers of GAO have also visited some of the South-East
Asian countries to work together with the local people. For instance, we have worked in Indonesia,
the Philippines, and Vietnam to support the developments and operations of the observation systems
in those countries.
International collaboration between GAO and Indonesian astronomers has started before the official
establishment of GAO. Dr. Hakim L. Malasan, an astronomer from Bosscha Observatory, Institute ofTechnology Bandung (ITB) joined the project of building GAO in its very early phase. He made a lotof contributions to the establishment of the 150-cm main telescope system and the high resolution
spectrograph GAOES. He has also played an important role to establish a deeper collaboration
framework between GAO and ITB by signing a memorandum of agreement (MoA) for our mutual
collaboration. After the singing the MoA in 2002, GAO and ITB have carried out various
collaboration works [7,8]. The most important activities have been the mutual exchange of humanresources to realize a number of scientific studies as well as to promote various programs in thefields of education and public outreach. Two small telescope systems were set in GAO in Japan andBosscha Observatory in Indonesia respectively [9]. Each system can be controlled from other sidetrough the internet. Since Japan is located in the northern hemisphere and Indonesia in the south,
those remote telescope systems can provide interesting opportunities of observing stars in theopposite hemisphere from each country. Figure 2 shows a stellar image coming from Indonesia at aProceedings of International Conference on Technology and Social Science 2017
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public event of GAO where a hundred people gathered. They could enjoy astronomical objects thatcan only be seen in the southern hemisphere from rainy Japan in the northern hemisphere. Similar
remote observation events have also made from Indonesia.

GAO,
Japan

Omega Centauri globular cluster
seen at GAO in Japan through theremote telescope system from
Bosscha Observatory, Indonesia

Bosscha,Indonesia

Fig. 2 Remote telescope system between GAO and ITB. They can provide
opportunities for astronomical experiences of the opposite hemisphere.

GAO also has a good relationship with Watukosek Solar Observatory, LAPAN as well as ITB.
Recently a project of constructing a new astronomical observatory in Sumatera is in progress. It is
prompted by Institute of Technology Sumatera (ITERA) in cooperation with ITB and the local
government of Lampung province. GAO is invited to cooperate with that project.
National Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) [10] was established in 2008. It has built anational observatory equipped with a 240-cm telescope which is the largest telescope in the East Asia
area including Japan. In addition, NARIT has been building five local observatories for the public inThailand. Prof. Boonrucksar Soonthornthum, the first director general of NARIT has stayed at GAO
for several weeks in 2001. He was drawing up his initial idea of the new Thai observatories there. Hesays that many concepts of GAO are directly reflected in his new observatories. NARIT is promoting
various activities of astronomical education and outreach based on the scientific researches using
their own facilities, similar to what GAO has been doing. In particular, many features similar toGAO can be seen in their local observatories. GAO is accepting a number of visitors from NARIT invarious occasions. For instance, a number of high school students often visit GAO to experience real
observations by themselves using the telescopes of GAO.
It was quite natural that personal relationships among visitors coming from various countries
spontaneously took place and deepened during their stays at GAO for a significantly long period.
Such relationships of their own have lead to one of the most effective driving forces that develops
their inter-cooperative relationships between their home countries. South-East Asian countries,

Proceedings of International Conference on Technology and Social Science 2017
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Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand and Vietnam have established the South-East Asia Astronomy Network (SEAAN) in 2007[11]. It aims at an effective development of astronomical research and education in their area forthemselves based on their mutual collaborations. While their activities are going on the basis of equal
footing, Indonesia and Thailand are playing leading roles in practice since ITB in Indonesia andNARIT in Thailand are the most advanced and active organizations in South-East Asia. It is a greathonor of GAO that it could make some significant contributions to the establishment anddevelopment of the SEAAN.
The South-East Asian Young Astronomers Collaboration (SEAYAC) [12] is a similar cooperating
framework by young astronomers from the South-East Asian region. Students and young
astronomers gathered at GAO and kicked off the SEAYAC in December 2008. It is noted with anhonor of us that GAO is the birthplace of the SEAYAC.
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instruments", IAU 8th Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting, Vol. II, pp. 7-8, 2002[2] O. Hashimoto, H. L. Malasan, and Y. Kozai, "Gunma Astronomical Observatory and its
international activities with south-east Asian countries", Journal of Technology and Social
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Shimizu, "A high resolution Echelle spectrograph GAOES on the 150 cm reflector of Gunma
Astronomical Observatory", Asian-Pacific IAU Regional Meeting 2005, pp. 295-296, 2005
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Echelle spectrograph (GAOES) in GAO-ITB collaboration", ITB-GAO Joint Workshop inAstronomy and Science Education, pp. 45-49, 2009[5] H. Takahashi, E. Nishihara, and GAO 150cm telescope working group, "Gunma Infrared Cameraand Spectrograph (GIRCS)", ITB-GAO Joint Workshop in Astronomy and Science Education,
pp. 50-56, 2009[6] O. Hashimoto, S. Yamano, A. Igarashi, "Gunma Astronomical Observatory, a public observatory
with a large telescope", International Symposium on the NAOJ Museum, pp. 58-64, 2016[7] Y. Kozai, "Astronomical Relation between Indonesia and Japan", ITB-GAO Joint Workshop inAstronomy and Science Education, pp. 6-7, 2009[8] O. Hashimoto, H. L. Malasan, H. Taguchi, K. Kinugasa, H. Takahashi, B. Dermawan, T. Kurata
and Y. Kozai, "Mutual collaboration between Institut Tekonologi Bandung and Gunma
Astronomical Observatory", ITB-GAO Joint Workshop in Astronomy and Science Education,pp. 1-5, 2009[9] K. Kinugasa, H. Taguchi, B. Indradjaja, H. L. Malasan, B. Dermawan and GAO and ITB
members, "Remote telescope system between ITB and GAO", ITB-GAO Joint Workshop inAstronomy and Science Education, pp. 67-71, 2009[10] B. Soonthornthum, "Strategies for astronomical outreach activities in Thailand", International
Symposium on the NAOJ Museum, pp. 46-53, 2016[11] SEAAN: http://www.narit.or.th/en/index.php/seaan[12] SEAYAC: http://seayac.org