Planetary Plasma and Atmospheric Research Center (PPARC)

We aim to understand energy and partcle transport processes between sun and planets using the data takben by ground-based and satellite-borne instruments like the Reimei and Arase satellites. We clarified the small-scale auroral

Aurora reflects the solar-planetary interactions.

Development of optical-infrared
and radio instruments

We consider that development of new instruments is important. We are developing optical-infrared imagers and spectrometers for the telescopes at the summit of Haleakala, Hawaii (T60, T40), and radio instruments for Iitate and other observatories in Japan. We also provide space-borne instruments for satellite and planetary missions conducted by JAXA and ESA, such as Reimei, ISS, JUICE and MMX.

Development of new instruments is essential for our research

Haleakala Observatory

We operate several observatories in Japan. At the summit of Haleakala, Hawaiii (elevation: 3040-m), 40-cm telescope (T40) continues planetary monitoring observation since 2006. 60-cm telescope (T60) started observations in 2014. Unique instruments, such as high-resolution spectrometer and coronagraph, are installed.

Observatories of PPARC

Planetary Radio Telescope

We operate several observatories in Japan. At the summit of Our own large radio telescopes are used to observe the space environment around the solar system planet (mainly Jupiter) and solar radio bursts that occur during solar explosion, toward understandings of connections among the sun, space environment and the planetary atmosphere.

Observation of variable space environments in the solar system
with a dedicated radio telescope