A new radio observatory, LWA-Niyodo, has been built in the Japanese town of Niyodogawa. Data on Sun and Jupiter activity captured in the Japanese mountains travel in real-time for analysis directly to Prague, to the Department of Space Physics at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences .
1/ The observatory is located in the Shikoku mountains
To continuously monitor radio emissions from space, scientists need a network of stations spread across the entire planet. Such a location was missing in the Asian region.
2/ At the beginning of the idea was the scientist Masafumi Imai…
"I was looking for a suitable place to install new antennas that would monitor natural radio emissions from the Sun and Jupiter," says the scientist.
3/ … and an enthusiastic citizen scientist who lent the land and helped with the construction
4/ The LWA-Niyodo observatory consists of eight "bow-tie" antennas
The antennas are connected to modern receivers based on technology originally developed for small satellites (CubeSats).
5/ "By building the station, we filled an empty spot on the map."
The LWA-Niyodo observatory was built in 2023. Since March 2024, it has been sending observations to Prague. "Now it is possible to monitor dynamic processes on the Sun or Jupiter at times when they are hidden below the horizon for European telescopes," says Masafumi Imai.
6/ Memorandum of Understanding
On November 16, 2025, the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the town of Niyodogawa, where the observatory is located. It participates not only in operating the LWA-Niyodo station but also in supporting education in science and technology and regional revitalization.
7/ It was a major event for the region, television arrived
"It's not just about the data. We want to show local children that world-class science can take place in their neighborhood. We hope it inspires them when choosing their future careers," was reported in the Japanese media during the ceremonial signing of the agreement.
8/ Data from the station -> Prague
The operation of the LWA-Niyodo radio observatory is currently supported by the Lumina Quaeruntur project, which the Czech Academy of Sciences awarded to Masafumi Imai in 2024. The data is available, and the scientists have just published their first observations: https://doi.org/10.25935/prex-mz59
(Link to the Masafumi video profile: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHxGzyZ_Zis)
