2008 Great Meeting at Nikon Headquarters

2008

Great Meeting

NIKON Headquarters

Tokyo JAPAN

Nikon Kenkyukai and the Dodaira

The Dodaira Astronomical Observatory is located in the Mt. Dodaira above sea level 876m in Saitama prefecture near Tokyo.
There is a Nikon 91cm astronomical photographic reflector in the Dodaira.

The Nikon Kenkyukai has shown you the following articles before.
2007 Nikon Kenkyukai Dodaira Meeting, October 2007
2005 Save the DODAIRA, June 2005

Two Great Men

Mr. Hiroki Kosai, now he is a head of the Saji Observatory in Tottori prefecture Japan.
When he was a young astronomer of the Tokyo Observatory in 1956, he climbed the many mountains near Tokyo to find the good place to build the observatory.
And, he finally found that Mt. Dodaira is the best place.

Mr. Shoichiro Yoshida, now he is a corporate adviser of Nikon Corporation.
As you know, he was a Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Nikon Corporation.
When he was a young optical engineer, he designed the big telescope, Nikon 91cm astronomical photographic reflector.

The DODAIRA's Observatory Dome

Nikon 91cm Astronomical Photographic Reflector

Great Meeting

Hiroki Kosai and Shoichiro Yoshida put their efforts together and constructed the Doraira observatory in 1962.
Afterwards, they did not have the chance to meet mutually.
And, very long time has passed.
Shigeki Terada and Michio Akiyama of Nikon Kekyukai wanted to have them meet again.
Mikio Itoh of Nikon Corporation made the place for the gret meeting.

Finally, they met again in the Nikon headquarters in Manunouchi Tokyo on July 9th 2008.
A young astronomer and young optical engineer enjoyed a long story of the Dodaira.

NIKON Headquarters, Marunouchi Tokyo

Mr. Shoichiro Yoshida and Mr. Hiroki Kosai