Observatory code | 385 |
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Location | Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka, Japan. |
Coordinates | 34°58′13″N 138°28′05″E / 34.97028°N 138.46806°E |
Established | 1967 |
Nihondaira Observatory (also known as Oohira Station, Obs. code: 385) is an astronomical observatory that is located on a hill overlooking Shimizu, Japan. [1] It has been the source for numerous discoveries of minor planet by astronomer Takeshi Urata. [1]
In 2007, the observatory was ranked 43rd in the number of asteroids discovered, with a total of 163, but has since lost its ranking, as the top 50 discovery sites have all discovered more than 400 bodies as of 2016. [2] The International Astronomical Union's code for the observatory is 385. [3] The asteroid 2880 Nihondaira, discovered by astronomer Tsutomu Seki, is named for this observatory. [1] It is often called by its location, Shizuoka.