Bisei Spaceguard Center

The Bisei Spaceguard Center is an astronomical observation facility located in the mountains of Okayama, equipped with a large telescope designed to track asteroids and space debris. The facility sits at an elevation where atmospheric conditions remain favorable for clear observations throughout the year.

The Japan Spaceguard Association founded this facility in 2000 to monitor near-Earth objects and support global space safety. Since its opening, the site has discovered hundreds of minor planets and continues to contribute to international space surveillance.

The center links students from Japan with researchers worldwide through collaborative observation work. People here experience how modern astronomy brings different countries together in shared scientific goals.

The facility can be visited during both daytime and evening hours, with the observatory opening on specific days of the week. Visitors should bring warm clothing, as the location sits at altitude where temperatures are cooler and weather conditions vary by season.

The facility operates a specialized survey camera system that rapidly scans patches of sky to detect small celestial objects. This approach allows unexpected discoveries that conventional observation methods would easily miss.

Location: Bisei

Location: Ibara

Official opening: 2000

Elevation above the sea: 427 m

Website: http://spaceguard.or.jp/BSGC/eng

GPS coordinates: 34.67197,133.54444

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:03