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Subaru Staff -Part 4-
May 23, 2002
| We continue to introduce the day crew. The day crew goes to the telescope on the summit of Mauna Kea and works during the day to prepare for night time observations. Day crew members Fumihiro Uraguchi, Norio Ohshima, Tomio Kanzawa, and Masami Yutani appear in this issue (current as of date). |
Day Crew
Fumihiro Uraguchi
From Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Hobby : Motoring After graduating from university, worked at Okayama Astrophysical Observatory of NAOJ. Moved to Hawaii in 2001. |
- What do you do at Subaru Telescope?
I maintain and exchange observational instruments for night time observations. I am also interested in the improvement of seeing, so developing a seeing measuring instrument as a member of the seeing group.
- How did you become interested in this kind of work?
I was interested in cars and airplanes since I was small. That's how I became an engineer.
Seeing measuring instrument
- How do you spend your weekend?
I just came here, so I want to try out many things.
- What advice would you give to people who hope to find a job like yours?
I majored in aerospace engineering at university, but engineering in astronomy is very interesting too. I think that taking part in many things is just as important as concentrating on one thing.
Day Crew
Norio Ohshima
From Saitama Prefecture, Japan
Hobbies : Baseball and Golf Worked at Doudaira Observatory of Tokyo Observatory (predecessor of NAOJ). Along with the decision on the closing of the observatory, moved to Mitaka campus. Belongs to Advanced Technology Center, and work both Tokyo and Hawaii. |
- What do you do at Subaru Telescope?
I do a lot of work, such as maintaining the telescope and dome, exchanging the secondary mirror (*) and observational instruments, CO2 cleaning, and so on. Re-aluminizing work is also one of my jobs.
- How did you become interested in this kind of work?
I liked making things. My house was near Doudaira Observatory and it was a big reason. I helped select the Subaru primary mirror, got involved in mirror-coating at Mitaka campus, and then came to Hawaii as a day crew.
- What do you do on your day offs?
I mainly play golf on weekends. When my friends can get together, we play baseball or I jog if I have time. Actually, I ran in the Honolulu Marathon. There is also a marathon in Hilo, and I will try to join in it some time.
- What is an important thing to keep in mind as a day crew member?
A lot of staff share work at a large institute like Subaru Telescope. We should pay attention to not only the part which we handle, but also the whole institution carefully.
(*) Secondary mirror : a mirror attached to the prime focus to lead star light to the Cassegrain and Nasmyth foci.
Day Crew
Tomio Kanazawa
From Gunma Prefecture, Japan
Hobby : Playing tennis After graduating from high school, went to evening institute while working at Tokyo Observatory. Worked at Nobeyama Radio Observatory for 13 years, and developed the Adaptive Optics (AO) system at Mitaka Advanced Technology Center for five years, then moved to Hawaii. |
- What is your job at Subaru Telescope?
I share work with other day crew members, such as prechecking the telescope before observation, safety checking the summit facility, and clearing snow during winter season. In addition, I investigate and analyze the tracking accuracy of the telescope and mirror surface accuracy.
- How did you become interested in this type of work?
After I passed the civil servant examinations, I took a job interview for this observatory and I got the job. I have liked working with machines since I was small. So I enjoy working with the telescope.
- How do you spend your weekends here?
I play tennis on most weekends.
- Would you give a message to people who are looking at this web page?
Working as an engineer is not easy and is a tough job. However, the sense of achievement is really great.
Day Crew
Masami Yutani
From Tottori Prefecture, Japan
Hobby : Playing tennis After graduating from high school, worked at Okayama Astrophysical Observatory for 30 years, and then moved to Tokyo Mitaka campus. Now travel between Tokyo and Hawaii. |
- What do you do at Subaru Telescope?
In addition to the same work as other day crew members, I supervise the use and improvements on the washing machine that dissolves and cleans aluminium on the Subaru primary mirror, which is a part of the process of re-aluminization. I also test the connections between observational instruments and the telescope with an optical simulator.
- How did you become interested in this kind of work?
I was not really an "astronomy" kind of boy, but I was interested in the universe. After graduating from high school, I found that an NAOJ job was advertised when I passed the civil servant examinations, and applied.
Wash of the mirror
(September, 2001)
- How do you spend your free time?
I usually play tennis with my colleagues. It is great exercise for me because my friends are way younger than me.
- What advice would you give to people who hope to find a job like yours?
Working on something new is always interesting. Even if it is not related to something which is interesting to you, I think you should take on challenges as much as you can.
