Kwasan and Hida Observatories, Kyoto University

The Annex Latest Images obtained by 18cm Refractor are Here
The 18cm Refractor Telescope

This telescope is one of the oldest telescope in Kwasan Observatory. Kyoto University bought this telescpoe from Sartorius Ltd., Gottingen, in order to observe Halley's Commet appeared in 1910 . In the tropical year, 1986, the telescope observed the commet again even after 76 years. Nowadays, it is equipped with the latest technology, for example, a Lyot filter and CCD camera, and is currently one of the best instruments for obtaining new results related to solar physics research. We can say that it is one of the oldest, but one of the most diligent telescopes in Kyoto University. Additionally, a 5inch refractor is also mounted on the equatorial and work effectively for observations of sunspots by white light.	The 18cm Refractor Telescope

Recent Development of the 18cm Refractor Telescope
1996	Equatorial was improved. Kodak Megaplus 1.6i CCD Camera(1532x1024 ) was installed.
1997	Solar H-alpha Observation started since May.(Partial Image)
1999	Solar H-alpha Observation System completed. Routine Observation started.(Partial Image)
2001	CCD camera was replaced to Kodak Megaplus 4.2i(2024x2040). Full Disc Imaging System was completed.
2002	Automatic Dome Rotating System was established.
2005	Remote Operation System was established.

Performance

	18cm Refractor	5inch Refractor
Aperture	178mm	127mm
Focal length	3000mm	1875mm
F/ratio	17	15
Resolution	0.65"	0.91"
Light gathering power	647	329
Limiting visual magnitude	13	12
Filter	H-alpha Lyot filter, Halle co.
Usage	Solar Ha digital observation	Drawing of sunspots
Full disk optical system
Total focal length	3400mm
Effective aperture	160mm
Total F/ratio	21
Pixel number	2024x2040 pix
Camera resolution	1.07″

Observation Data

18cm Refractor(Data Archive)
・ Latest Image
    Full solar images obtained by 18cm refractor (Continuously renewed)

・Event Movie
   Movies of Flares, active promonence and other solar phenomena

・All day Movie
   One day movie of full solar images.

5inch Refractor
・Sunspot Sketch
   Archive of reports and sunspot sketches.

Sample Images and Movies

Movie
Images
Large filament on Jan.19th ,2004	Flare on Sep.16th, 2005
M8.9 　Flare, Jun. 4th, 2007 (Movie)
Marcury Transit on Nov.9th, 2006 (Movie : Full Disc Sun)	Marcury Transit on Nov.9th, 2006 (Movie : Mainly Martcury)
Prominence Eruption on Nov.2nd,2004 (Movie)	Surge on Aug.4th,2006 (Movie)

Recent published works using the 18cm Sartorius Telescope

The Power-Law Distribution of Flare Kernels and Fractal Current Sheets in a Solar Flare

Nishizuka, A, Asai, A ,Takasaki, H, Kurokawa, H, and Shibata, K,

2009,ApJ, 694

Flare Ribbon Expansion and Energy Release Rate

Asai, A., Yokoyama, T., Shimojo, M.,Masuda, S., Kurokawa, H., and Shibata, K.,

2004, ApJ,611,557

Evolution of Conjugate Footpoints inside Flare Ribbons during a Great Two-Ribbon Flare on 2001 April 10

Asai, A., Ishii, T.T., Kurokawa, H., Yokoyama, T., and Shimojo, M.,

2003, ApJ, 586, 624

Difference between Spatial Distribution of the H-alpha Kernels and Hard X-ray Sources in a Solar Flare

Asai, A., Masuda, S., Yokoyama, T., Shimojo, M., Isobe, H.,Kurokawa, H., and Shibata, K

2002, ApJ, 578, L91

Active Region Evolutions and Flare Activities:From the Photosphere to the Corona

Ishii, T. T. , Takeuchi, T.T., & Kurokawa, H.

IAU Symposium 203,
Recent Insights into the Physics of the Sun and Heliosphere:
Highlights from SOHO and Other Space Missions

The Annex