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Japan and United Kingdom Begin New Collaboration in Infrared Astronomy
July 29, 2002
Professors Hiroshi Karoji (Subaru Telescope) and
Ian Robson (JAC) shake hands after signing an
agreement which
will foster close collaboration
between Japan and the UK in infrared
astronomy.
(Photo courtesy of JAC)
The National Astronomical observatory of Japan (NAOJ) and the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) of the United Kingdom (UK) have entered an aggreement which will foster closer ties between Japan and the UK in infrared astronomy.
Under this agreement, Japanese astronomers will gain access to the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT), a 3.8 meter infrared optimized telescope on Mauna Kea through scientific collaboration. In return, NAOJ will participate in the development of the UKIRT Wide-field Camera (WFCAM). Scheduled to arrive in late 2003, WFCAM will provide UKIRT with a world-leading infrared sky-survey capability. Observations on both UKIRT and the new generation of eight-meter telescopes, including Subaru, will follow-up on discoveries from the UKIRT surveys.
Dr. Hiroshi Karoji, Director of Subaru Telescope, and Dr. Ian Robson, Director of the Joint Astronomy Center which operates UKIRT, signed the “Memorandum of Understanding” on June 14, 2002. Dr.Hiroshi Karoji says “This agreement has been in negotiation during the tenure of two of my predicessors, Dr. Hiroyasu Ando and Dr. Kaifu. I'm very happy to finallize this agreement and to begin our scientific collaboration.”
