Norio Kaifu

Quick Facts: Who was Norio Kaifu?

Subject:

Norio Kaifu

Known for:

Pioneering Japanese astronomer known for radio spectroscopy and leading major international observatories.

Born:

1943-09-21

Died:

2019-04-13

Century / Era:

1943s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Norio Kaifu (海部 宣男, Kaifu Norio; 21 September 1943 – 13 April 2019) was a Japanese astronomer. He was best known as the president of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) from 2012 to 2015. He directed the Subaru telescope project, which housed the largest monolithic primary mirror in the world from its commission until 2005. Kaifu researched in radio astronomy, extragalactic astronomy, cosmic magnetic fields, non-stable stars, and infrared astronomy. The minor planet 6412 Kaifu is named in his honor.

Career & Major Achievements

Kaifu died of pancreatic cancer on 13 April 2019, at the age of 75. Kaifu graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1972 with a PhD in radio astronomy. In the early 1980s, he organized bilateral collaborations with British astronomers, including the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope, which improved relations with international astronomers. He also began working with astronomers in China, South Korea, and Taiwan, and formed the East Asian Core Observatories Association, which built the East Asian Observatory in 2014. He became the chairman of the Radio Astronomy Division of the National Astronomical Observatory of Mitaka from 1988 to 1990, and associate director from 1992 to 1996.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1990, he was invited to join the Japanese Large Telescope Project, and became the founding director of the Subaru telescope. The telescope still remains as one of the largest telescopes in the world. From 2000 to 2006, Kaifu was the director of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), and led the construction of the Nobeyama Radio Observatory, which became Japan's first large inter-university research facility in astronomy. He then served in the Science Council of Japan as president of the Natural Science & Engineering Division from 2005 to 2011. He acted as the single point of contact for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 in Japan.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1943 (1943-09-21): Birth of Norio Kaifu — Pioneering Japanese astronomer known for radio spectroscopy and leading major international observatories.
2. 1972: 1972 Milestone — Kaifu graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1972 with a PhD in radio astronomy.
3. 1988: 1988 Milestone — He became the chairman of the Radio Astronomy Division of the National Astronomical Observatory of Mitaka from 1988 to 1990, and associate director from 1992 to 1996.
4. 1990: 1990 Milestone — In 1990, he was invited to join the Japanese Large Telescope Project, and became the founding director of the Subaru telescope.
5. 2000: 2000 Milestone — From 2000 to 2006, Kaifu was the director of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), and led the construction of the Nobeyama Radio Observatory, which became Japan's first large inter-university research facility in astronomy.
6. 2005: 2005 Milestone — He directed the Subaru telescope project, which housed the largest monolithic primary mirror in the world from its commission until 2005.
7. 2009: 2009 Milestone — He acted as the single point of contact for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 in Japan.
8. 2012: 2012 Milestone — He was best known as the president of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) from 2012 to 2015.
9. 2014: 2014 Milestone — He also began working with astronomers in China, South Korea, and Taiwan, and formed the East Asian Core Observatories Association, which built the East Asian Observatory in 2014.
10. 2019 (2019-04-13): Passing & Historical Legacy — Norio Kaifu passed away on 2019-04-13, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Norio Kaifu

True or False: “Norio Kaifu's research on the 6-meter millimeter wave telescope was instrumental in detecting atmospheric molecules.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): After its completion in 1982, this telescope allowed him to develop radio spectrometers capable of detecting several atmospheric molecules.

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• 1943 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1943
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Frequently Asked Questions about Norio Kaifu