Nobeyama Radio Observatory operates the 45-m Radio Telescope under a paid observing program. This program was established through discussions with users and the broader research community, and began in FY2022. Since then, the telescope has been used by nearly 200 people each year.
To encourage even broader use of the 45-m telescope, the Observatory launches a new Refer-a-Friend Program in FY2026. We invite our existing users to introduce the 45-m telescope to colleagues and collaborators in Japan and around the world. We also look forward to welcoming new users and supporting their research with millimeter-wave data obtained with the 45-m telescope.
Program Details
- Eligibility
- Who can be referred: Individuals, including students, who have never purchased observing time on the 45-m telescope and are purchasing it for the first time.
- Who can make a referral: Anyone may make a referral.
- Benefits
- The referrer will receive observing time equivalent to 20% of the new user’s first purchased observing time.
- However, this program can be applied to a maximum of 250 hours of purchased observing time per referral. Accordingly, the maximum observing time granted to the referrer for a single referral is 50 hours.
- Observing time granted through this program may be carried over to subsequent fiscal years.
How to Apply
- For New Users
- When submitting your proposal, please enter the name of the person who referred you in the “Referrer’s name” field in the NRO45 Application Book (A).
- When the Referrer Uses the Granted Observing Time
- Please request the observing time using the dedicated proposal form, “NRO45 Application Book (B).”
Background
This program was developed through the following process.
- At the JSAC meeting held on October 16, 2025, Nobeyama Radio Observatory proposed the program, and it was discussed by the JSAC committee members. Summary of the meeting minutes: The program was considered a good idea for the operation of the 45-m telescope. It was also noted that allowing the observing time granted to the referrer to be carried over would improve convenience. The committee further recommended that the program be discussed broadly with the user community, including through the User’s Meeting.
- Based on the discussion at JSAC, the implementation plan was revised.
- At the ALMA-NRO-ASTE User’s Meeting held on December 17, 2025, Nobeyama Radio Observatory proposed the program, and it was discussed by the user community. No objections were raised. It was agreed that comments from the community would continue to be collected by email and other means.
- No additional comments or objections were received.
- At the JSAC meeting held on March 11, 2026, the above discussion process was reported. The program was approved and scheduled to begin in FY2026.