Research Achievements of CAIST Published in "Nature"

［Last Update］ 2009-09-11

CAIST/ARC-Space of the University of Aizu (the Research Center for Advanced Information Science and Technology/the Aizu Research Cluster for Space Science) announced that a research paper co-authored by faculty members affiliated to the Cluster appeared in a British science journal "Nature" issued on September 10, 2009.
As a result of analyzing the mineral distribution on the entire lunar surface observed by the Multiband Imager onboard the lunar orbiting satellite "SELENE" (KAGUYA), this paper clarified for the first time in the world that anorthosite consisting of nearly 100% anorthite was widely distributed in the lunar highland crust. It had been conventionally estimated that the lunar highland crust consisted of 90% anorthite and 10% other minerals. This finding provides new knowledge concerning a crustal formation of the lunar highlands.
This paper was written by a lead author, Assistant Professor Makiko Ohtake, Department of Planetary Science, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and 31 other co-authors including 7 faculty members of the University and 4 adjunct professors of the University of Aizu Graduate School.
The University held a press conference on the 10th, the same day of publication of "Nature", to present a summary and explain the University's achievements regarding the research article in the journal. Assistant Professor Hirohide Demura, Leader of ARC-Space, expressed his impressions and hopes, stating "Following a last year's achievement of our research published in "Science", we are pleased to have contributed to the research of "KAGUYA" published in another world-leading science journal, "Nature". With many year's preparations and discussions among those involved with the research, it is our honor that our activities led to establish CAIST/ARC-Space and produce a visible result. We will continuously make efforts for research on the deep space exploration and disseminate results of our research from Aizu to the world."

President's speech at the press conference

Co-authors from the University of Aizu
(From left: Assistant Professor Hirata, Assistant Professor Demura, Professor Asada, Assistant Professor Kitazato)

Research Title

The global distribution of pure anorthosite on the Moon

• The University's contribution toward the research article published in "Nature"
• CAIST/ARC-Space faculty members

CHistory of CAIST

2009.01.16 Announcement of the establishment of CAIST

2009.04.01 Establishment of CAIST

2009.04.03 CAIST Opening Ceremony, ARC-Space Kick-off Meeting