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Subaru Staff -Part 20-

December 29, 2008

This is an interview with three members of the FMOS crew about the development of a new instrument built with international cooperation; Japan, UK and Australia (current as of date).



FMOS commissioning manager
Naruhisa Takato

- Could you describe your job?
I used to be involved in development of the original adaptive optics system. Currently, my job as FMOS commissioning manager is to complete FMOS on time so it can be used by international astronomers. FMOS is a unique instrument in a way that it was the first project for Subaru Telescope to develop components in three different countries; Japan, UK, and Australia. When I first joined this project, there were difficulties with individual elements, such as adjusting to each countries' progress and also the gap in the budget system, which delayed the primary schedule. My duty here is to reorganize the schedule so that the device can be used by researchers with high quality of performance as it was planned from the beginning.

My area of expertise varied from the exploration of a protoplanet to the observational research of small solar system objects. My particular interest is the role of ice within the solar system. I am planning to build a telescope in Antarctica, to search for a exoplanet in a long orbit around a star.

- Message to readers who wants to be an astronomer?
I suggest to be intrigued by multiple things and increase skills in which you show good promise.

 


 


FMOS Scientist
Naoyuki Tamura

- Could you describe your job?
I finalize the individual parts developed from different institutions into one observational instrument - FMOS. After graduate school, I was working at Durham University in U.K. for 4 years so I work as a role of communicator with the FMOS team there. Since FMOS is a device which is able to observe larger number of objects at one time more efficiently than before, I am excited about figuring out deeper about the evolution of galaxies.

- What are the exciting things about developing instruments?
It is a precious experience to witness the long process of one instrument reaching fruition under international cooperation.

- Message to readers who wants to be an astronomer?
When you do research, it is important to organize current conditions and understand problems correctly. Also, since this job has projects that takes a lot of time and effort, it is important not to quit in the middle of anything and put a lot of effort towards the goal and to have strong mind towards establishing the goal.

 




Jr.Astronomical Researcher
Masahiko Kimura

- Could you describe your job?
The main work I have been doing since graduate school is to develop the Prime Focus Unit which interfaces with the telescope. In particular, it is the construction of early versions, experimentation and adjustment, until a final instrument is completed.

- How did you start working at Subaru Telescope?
While I was in grad school, I participated with the instrument development of Suprime-Cam. As this instrument developed, I knew I wanted to develop instruments further and fortunately, there was a FMOS project at Kyoto University of Japan, so I joined the team. The work I do here in Subaru is the follow-up management on site.

- Message to readers who wants to be an astronomer?
A huge project like Subaru Telescope instrument development is a team project which connects many pieces into an object by many people cooperating with one another. It takes much time and there are unexpected errors, but overall I think it worth all the effort.



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