Usuda Star Dome
![Usuda Star Dome is located in Japan](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7e/Japan_natural_location_map_with_side_map_of_the_Ryukyu_Islands.jpg/240px-Japan_natural_location_map_with_side_map_of_the_Ryukyu_Islands.jpg)
![Usuda Star Dome](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png)
![Usuda Star Dome is located in Japan](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Japan_location_map_with_side_map_of_the_Ryukyu_Islands.svg/235px-Japan_location_map_with_side_map_of_the_Ryukyu_Islands.svg.png)
![Usuda Star Dome](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png)
Usuda Star Dome (うすだスタードーム) is a public observatory located in Saku, Nagano, Japan.
Saku is one of the best places for astronomical observation in Japan because of high altitude, high rate of sunny days, and limpid air.[1][2]
Visitors are allowed to watch stars through the large telescope from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
History
The observatory was founded by Usuda. It was transferred to (new) Saku on April 1, 2005 when Usuda has merged with (old) Saku, Mochizuki, and Asashina.
Telescopes
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/60cm_reflector_of_USD.png/176px-60cm_reflector_of_USD.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/20cm_refractors_of_USD.png/176px-20cm_refractors_of_USD.png)
The main telescope of the observatory is 600 mm Cassegrain reflector constructed by Mitaka Kohki. It has the "Wonder Eye" flexible focal extending system which provides "barrier free" star watching.[3]
It is also equipped with two 200 mm refractors also constructed by Mitaka Kohki.
See also
- Saku
- Saku Children's Science Dome for the Future
- Usuda Deep Space Center
- List of astronomical observatories
- List of astronomical societies
- Lists of telescopes
References
External links
- Usuda Star Dome (in Japanese)