Statement By The Director-General On The March 11, 2011 Earthquake And The Resulting Tsunami In The Northeastern Japan

To the people, who suffered from an earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011

I send my deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and my sympathy and support for all those affected by the earthquake and tsunamis. We’ve seen the earthquake and tsunami render an unimaginable toll of death and destruction on the people in the northeastern Japan. The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, has a branch station, Mizusawa Observatory, at Ohsyu-city, Iwate Prefecture.

No casualties among NAOJ staff have been reported, though some of the family members of our staff were affected. The NAOJ Mizusawa observatory did suffer some damages on its facilities sharing the hardships.

In the coming days, the NAOJ will continue to do everything we can to help contain the damage, recover and rebuild. We will stand with the people in this time of great trial and sorrow.

Shoken Miyama, Director-General of NAOJ

Rolling blackout schedule at Mitaka campus

Undesided.

News

11 April, 2011

The daily open-house is restarted since 11 April.

8 April, 2011

Rolling blackouts has been canceled until the end of May.

1 April, 2011

Announcement for Astronomy Data Center data analysis computer system users

• Announcement for Astronomy Data Center data analysis computer system users
• Operation schedule of data analysis system and common use PCs (Browse available even during blackout at Mitaka campus)

22 March, 2011

The Q&A services by telephone and E-mail were restarted. However, please acknowledge not corresponding by the influence of the rolling blackout.

18 March, 2011

The telephone and the web access to National Astronomical Observatory are expected to be sometimes impossible between 19 and 21 March due to the rolling blackout. Because E-mail to National Astronomical Observatory is delivered after the recovery of the power failure, a great delay of the delivery is expected.

NAOJ Situation after East-Japan Huge Earthquake and Tsunami

Last updated: 18 Mar. 12:10 pm

1. All NAOJ staff are safe.
2. No serious damage was experienced by NAOJ including Mizusawa VLBI Observatory.
3. All NAOJ staff/department can be reached electronically via E-mail/WWW.

However, due to the planned electric outage starting from 14th, these electronic access may be periodically suspended.

4. Temporarily ceased are the common use of NAOJ's super computers and astronomical data analysis system in response to the governmental request on electric power saving.
5. Temporarily ceased are the daily open-house of Mizusawa VLBI Observatory.
6. Due to the planned electric outage starting from 14th, the electric/electronic nication to the NAOJ Headquarters (Tokyo, Mitaka) including the phone, FAX, and WWW shall be periodically suspended. The e-mails sent to NAOJ will be delivered AFTER the electric power recovery, and therefore a large amount of delay will be anticipated.
7. The following services in Mitaka suspended in the meantime:
   • The daily open-house or group visit program.
   • Library services.
   • Astronomy hotline: Call center activities and inquiries via email.
   • Report of newly discovery of celestial bodies.
8. Regular star party and 4D2U theater program scheduled for March 26 in Mitaka are cancelled. The schedule since April is yet to be determined.