MITAKA, Tokyo -- Inside a two-story reinforced concrete structure on the vast green campus of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ)'s headquarters sits a disused refractor telescope that is one of Japan's largest.

       A giant telescope with countless tiny parts is seen in Mitaka, Tokyo, on Oct. 14, 2020. A camera was attached to the left side of the upper part during observations. (Mainichi/Akihiro Ogomori)=Click/tap photo for more images.

       The telescope in the former equatorial room at NAOJ headquarters in the Tokyo suburban city of Mitaka is installed next to a guide telescope that sets its target, and has a diameter of 65 centimeters, an 11-meter-long telescope tube, and a pillar it is mounted on measuring about 5 m in height.

       The main frame of the equatorial room was completed in 1926, and the dome and telescope were built by 1929, giving it its current form. The wooden dome is a rare architectural structure finished with technical support from a shipyard, which led to it being made a registered tangible cultural property of Japan.

       Research and observation in the room ended in 1998. In 2001, it was converted into the Observatory History Museum with panels and other materials describing the history of the observatory. The telescope and other equipment are no longer in operation.

       According to the NAOJ, it was not until the late Edo period (1603-1867) that people in Japan began regularly observing the stars. Since then, their interest in what lies beyond the starry sky has not ceased even as times change.

       (Japanese original by Akihiro Ogomori, Photo and Video Center)

       The former equatorial room with its beautiful circular shape is seen in Mitaka, Tokyo, on Oct. 14, 2020. (Mainichi/Akihiro Ogomori)=Click/tap photo for more images.

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       The Japanese version of this article was originally published on Nov. 1, 2020.

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       This series explores Japan's architectural wonders and secrets of yesteryear. Read more Retro Japan articles here.

       Retro Japan in Photos: Ex-equatorial room in suburban Tokyo displays circular beauty

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