Astronomical Observations at Nagashima-Aiseien, a Hansen’s disease sanatorium

DOI
  • Isobe Hiroaki
    Faculty of Fine Arts, Kyoto City University of Art Unit of Synergetic Studies for Space, Kyoto University

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • ハンセン病療養所・長島愛生園における天文観測

Abstract

This paper presents the history and observational records of Nagashima Astronomical Observatory established in 1949 at Nagashima Aiseien, a national sanatorium for Hansen’s disease in Japan. The observatory was a part of the meteorological observatory of the sanatorium, and the observers, who were also Hansen’s disease patients, conducted regular sunspot observations and occasional stellar occultations. The observatory also provided residents and staff of the sanatorium with opportunities to enjoy watching stars. Two astronomers outside the sanatorium deeply committed to the foundation and observations at the Nagashima Observatory: Issei Yamamoto, the first director of Kyoto University’s Kwasan Observatory, and Minoru Honda, known for his discoveries of comets and novas. The records of sunspot and occultation observations were sent to Yamamoto as well as to the Tokyo Astronomical Observatory (Today’s National Astronomical Observatory of Japan) . The significance and uniqueness of the astronomical observations at Nagashima Observatory are discussed from the perspectives of amateur astronomy and the history of Hansen’s disease sanatoria.

Journal

  • Stars and Galaxies

    Stars and Galaxies 5 (0), 1-, 2022-12-31

    Center for Astronomy, University of Hyogo

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