Presentation Information
[O20-02]Collaborative Activities Between “Nagano, the Astro-Prefecture” and Planetariums as a Form of Citizen Science
*Kouji Ohnishi1 (1. National Institute of Technology, Nagano College (Japan))
Keywords:
Nagano,the Astro-Prefecture,Culture of Astronomy,citizen science
Nagano Prefecture, located in Japan’s central mountainous region and host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, offers a favorable night-sky environment despite its proximity—about 200 km—to Tokyo. The region is home to major astronomical facilities, including the University of Tokyo’s Kiso Observatory and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan’s Nobeyama Radio Observatory, making it one of Japan’s leading centers for both optical and radio astronomy.To sustain and enhance this observational environment, a collaborative network has been established under the slogan “Nagano – Japan’s Astronomy Prefecture” (hereafter “Nagano, the Astro-Prefecture”). This network connects professional astronomers, planetarium and observatory staff, and members of local amateur astronomy societies. Its overarching goal is to foster a culture of astronomy—a social environment in which people feel a natural connection to the stars and the universe—linking science, education, and regional development, and enabling citizens to engage with astronomy in everyday life.Citizen participants contribute to monitoring sky quality and researching the local history of astronomy. Ten planetariums across the prefecture, located in science centers and museums, serve as core hubs for data collection, research, and public dissemination. They also produce original planetarium programs and educational materials to communicate findings to wider audiences.This paper presents the outcomes of “Nagano, the Astro-Prefecture” as a model of citizen science, notably the data rescue and analysis of over a century of sunspot observations by three local observers. It also examines the current and potential roles of planetariums as mediators of citizen science, emphasizing their ability to bridge professional research, education, and public engagement in astronomy.