The antenna of this station is the smallest of all the GSI-run VLBI antennas.
It had ever been for our domestic mobile stations, and subsequently became
the fixed antenna here.
Although its aperture is small, this antenna makes it possible to measure
the distance between two antennas with an accuracy of few millimeters,
by performing a VLBI observation together with a large aperture antenna
such as the Tsukuba 32-m antenna.
The station, located in a tranquil area with panoramic field and mountain
views, is a GSI's stronghold for geodetic observations, holding VLBI observation
equipment in its building, and a GPS-based control point and a fundamental
gravity station on its ground.
It is closed from December until April because the region is blanketed
with deep snow in winter. The antenna is protected by a cover to avoid
the damage from the weight of snow.
a remote monitoring camera installed at the station
a view from the station
the station building buried under deep snow (LEFT) and
the 3.8-m antenna covered with tent-type protection (RIGHT)