Flare stars are variable stars that undergo an unpredictable dramatic increase of
brightness for a few minutes. It is believed that the flares are analogous to solar
flares. The brightening occurs across the spectrum from X-ray to radio waves. Most
flare stars are dim red dwarfs.
Novae and comets are well-known objects. Osawa’s works given in this table
were largely taken up by Nishimura Shiro, Nariai Kyoji, and others at the OAO.
In addition, Osawa also carried out the optical identification of X-ray source Sco
X-1 with photometric and spectroscopic observations at the OAO in 1966.
3.8 Hirose Hideo and Astronomy
3.8.1 Life and Works
Hirose Hideo (広瀬秀雄, 1909–1981) showed deep scholarship in a wide array of
fields in astronomy, including observations of small bodies of the Solar System, the
design of optical systems and the construction of large telescopes at the Dodaira
Station of the TAO, and the history of oriental astronomy (Kawaguchi et al. 1982).
Hirose was born in the city of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, entered Tokyo Imperial
University, and studied astronomy under Hirayama Kiyotsugu on celestial mechanics, positional astronomy, and the history of astronomy. Hirose’s interests in astronomy were highly affected by his teacher throughout his life.
After graduating in 1932, Hirose began to work at the TAO.
His first study was on celestial mechanics. After completing his thesis on the
position of moving celestial bodies in 1949, he was appointed professor of astronomy at the University of Tokyo in 1951. Besides the teaching of astronomy, he
pursued the observation of asteroids. In 1963, he moved to the TAO and served as
director until his retirement in 1970. After retirement, he served as professor
successively at Saitama University and Senshu University. He died in 1981 in
Tokyo at age 72 (Fig. 3.18).
3.8.2 Observations of Minor Objects
One of Hirose’s major works was the observation of small celestial bodies in the
Solar System. His interest was focused on asteroids in 1949–1956 and then comets
in 1965–1970. For both objects, observations had an astrometric purpose, including
identifications, accurate positions, orbital elements, ephemerides, and photographic
photometry. The results of his observations were reported to the Minor Planet
Circulars of the IAU for asteroids and to the IAU Circulars for comets.
In 1960s, Hirose’s group, which included Nagasawa Ko and Tomita Koichiro,
organized photometric and spectroscopic observations of meteors in several meteor
streams from three observation sites (Hirose et al. 1968). For this purpose, they
72
3 Astronomy in Early Showa. I. Tokyo 1926–1945
brightness for a few minutes. It is believed that the flares are analogous to solar
flares. The brightening occurs across the spectrum from X-ray to radio waves. Most
flare stars are dim red dwarfs.
Novae and comets are well-known objects. Osawa’s works given in this table
were largely taken up by Nishimura Shiro, Nariai Kyoji, and others at the OAO.
In addition, Osawa also carried out the optical identification of X-ray source Sco
X-1 with photometric and spectroscopic observations at the OAO in 1966.
3.8 Hirose Hideo and Astronomy
3.8.1 Life and Works
Hirose Hideo (広瀬秀雄, 1909–1981) showed deep scholarship in a wide array of
fields in astronomy, including observations of small bodies of the Solar System, the
design of optical systems and the construction of large telescopes at the Dodaira
Station of the TAO, and the history of oriental astronomy (Kawaguchi et al. 1982).
Hirose was born in the city of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, entered Tokyo Imperial
University, and studied astronomy under Hirayama Kiyotsugu on celestial mechanics, positional astronomy, and the history of astronomy. Hirose’s interests in astronomy were highly affected by his teacher throughout his life.
After graduating in 1932, Hirose began to work at the TAO.
His first study was on celestial mechanics. After completing his thesis on the
position of moving celestial bodies in 1949, he was appointed professor of astronomy at the University of Tokyo in 1951. Besides the teaching of astronomy, he
pursued the observation of asteroids. In 1963, he moved to the TAO and served as
director until his retirement in 1970. After retirement, he served as professor
successively at Saitama University and Senshu University. He died in 1981 in
Tokyo at age 72 (Fig. 3.18).
3.8.2 Observations of Minor Objects
One of Hirose’s major works was the observation of small celestial bodies in the
Solar System. His interest was focused on asteroids in 1949–1956 and then comets
in 1965–1970. For both objects, observations had an astrometric purpose, including
identifications, accurate positions, orbital elements, ephemerides, and photographic
photometry. The results of his observations were reported to the Minor Planet
Circulars of the IAU for asteroids and to the IAU Circulars for comets.
In 1960s, Hirose’s group, which included Nagasawa Ko and Tomita Koichiro,
organized photometric and spectroscopic observations of meteors in several meteor
streams from three observation sites (Hirose et al. 1968). For this purpose, they
72
3 Astronomy in Early Showa. I. Tokyo 1926–1945