national astronomical observatory of japan

What Exactly Is The Mass Of A Supermassive Black Hole?

Scientists have made precise measurements of the supermassive black hole in the NGC 1097 galaxy, a finding that could help solve how galaxies evolved.

Sun-Like Stars Emit Huge Superflares

The finding that Sun-like stars release superflares raises the possibility that the Sun might cause geomagentic storms on Earth.

The Surprisingly Mild Environment Around A Supermassive Black Hole

Despite the harsh X-rays and UV photons, organic molecules have been found surrounding the supermassive black hole in the spiral galaxy M77.

Supernovae Confirmed As Major Lithium Producers

The lithium in our smart phones may have come from the explosion of novae.

The Birth Of Little Twin Stars

High resolution observations and supercomputer modeling have allowed astronomers to understand the formation of binary stars.

Spotting Objects In Space With Raven

Astronomers have developed an instrument to enhance space images from telescopes.

The Chemical Signature Of The Birth of The Stars

Scientists discover a star with a chemical composition similar to the first stars to form after the big bang.

Deep Down, The Moon Is Still Warm

Contrary to expectations, scientists have found that the Moon has a warm inner core.

Cosmic Explosions Shrouded In Dust

By detecting radio waves from molecular gas, scientists have found that galaxies hosting bright and explosive gamma ray bursts have high proportions of dust.