Why not trying to stargaze at Hoshinomura Observatory?

Tips for Easy Stargazing

★ To tell the truth, you can enjoy stargazing from almost anywhere—even in town or right outside your home!

Just look for a darker spot with little surrounding light. You’ll be surprised how many bright, eye-catching stars you can see, such as the Summer Triangle or other first-magnitude stars.

It’s fun to explore your neighborhood and discover your own favorite stargazing spot ♪

★ Practice using your telescope during the daytime

It can actually be quite difficult to point a telescope at a star on your first try. That’s why practicing during the daytime is a great idea. Try aiming at a distant landmark, such as the top of a tall building or a mountain peak. This will help you get used to adjusting and focusing your telescope.

When you’re ready to observe at night, start with an easy target like the bright Moon or a prominent fixed star. They’re much easier to find and perfect for beginners.

TOP3 FAQs about Stars

Q. Can we see the Milky Way?

A. “Yes, you can. In fact, it’s visible even in Tamura City. However, many people don’t realize they’re looking at the Milky Way because it appears faint and hazy, almost like a cloud. From our observatory, though, it looks much larger and clearer.”

Q. What is special about stargazing?

A. “Stargazing is full of discovery, excitement, and wonder. On a clear night, you can see an incredible number of stars from the observatory—including ones that aren’t normally visible. There are so many that it’s hard to choose just one to focus on.”

Q. Do you think aliens exist?

A. “They might. There are countless galaxies and planets in the universe that we haven’t discovered yet. It’s possible that some form of life exists out there.”

Hoshinomura Observatory and the night sky

What is the Summer Triangle?

The Summer Triangle is a large, slender asterism formed by three bright stars: Vega in Lyra, Altair in Aquila, and Deneb in Cygnus.

In the traditional Japanese tale of Tanabata, Vega and Altair represent the star-crossed lovers known as Orihime and Hikoboshi.

Photos of Moon and planets taken at the Observatory

An aerosiderite (iron meteorite). You can actually touch it.

You can try the fossil rock hunting activity! What is going to come out? So exciting!

Featuring a 65-centimeter (about 25-inch) astronomical telescope—the largest in Fukushima—the observatory offers an incredible stargazing experience. Its light-gathering power is approximately 8,600 times greater than that of the naked eye. They even say it’s powerful enough to spot a tennis ball from 20 kilometers (about 12 miles) away.

★★★

The staff at the observatory are kind and welcoming, and they happily answer any questions you may have. Spending time there, gazing into the vast universe, feels truly calming and inspiring.

This is definitely one of the best places in Fukushima to enjoy breathtaking views of the stars. It’s also a wonderful destination for children’s summer research projects or family learning experiences.

Tomohiro Ohno, Vice Director of Hoshinomura Observatory

“Summer is good for stargazing in terms of temperature. In Fukushima, the air is so clear that you can see stars really well.”

Interview Cooperation: Hoshinomura Observatory

Tel: +81-247-78-3638
Address: 60-1 Aza Nukatsuka, Kamimata, Takine Town, Tamura City, Fukushima, Japan

Open: Every day in August
Closed: Tuesdays

Hours:
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (April 1 – September 30)
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (October 1 – March 31)

Article from the August 2016 Issue