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Space Electromagnetic Observation Lab
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The lab observes auroras and the space around Earth using radio waves and light.
AboutAbout the lab
Observing space and the upper atmosphere with radio and optical technology
The Space Electromagnetic Observation Lab uses the latest radio and optical technologies to study variations in the space around Earth and the upper atmosphere through observation.
Its main targets are auroras, nightglow, and the ionosphere and magnetosphere.
The lab measures the motion of plasma in the space around Earth with a large HF radar in Rikubetsu, Hokkaido, and also conducts field observations overseas, such as in Canada.
It also develops highly sensitive spectroscopic instruments and instruments to be carried on satellites.
Key terms
- Ionosphere
- A layer about 80–1,000 km above the ground in which part of the atmosphere has become electrically charged plasma.
- Nightglow
- A phenomenon in which the atmosphere at altitudes of about 80–300 km glows very faintly at night.
- Atmospheric gravity waves
- Waves in the atmosphere that arise through the action of Earth's gravity.
NewsLab news
Student receives Student Outstanding Presentation Award at Japan Geoscience Union Meeting 2025
Professor Shiokawa and Associate Professor Otsuka receive the Research.com Japan Leader Award
Associate Professor Otsuka selected as an Excellent Reviewer 2024 by Earth Planets and Space
ResearchResearch themes
The lab uses the latest radio and optical technologies to study variations in the space around Earth and the upper atmosphere through observation. With observation networks spanning a wide range from high latitudes to the equator, it investigates how the ionosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere vary.
*Illustrative imageDisturbances in the mid- and high-latitude ionosphere
The lab has installed all-sky cameras that image nightglow in Japan and overseas, and combines their data with radio data from GPS satellites to study wave-like disturbances propagating through the ionosphere (MSTIDs). It also studies the motion of plasma in the high-latitude ionosphere using HF radar.
*Illustrative imageThe equatorial ionosphere and plasma bubbles
Above the magnetic equator, plasma bubbles occur after sunset: “holes” in electron density that form and expand, and cause disruptions to satellite communications. The lab has installed all-sky cameras, GPS receivers, and a VHF radar at an observation site in Indonesia and conducts continuous observations.
*Illustrative imageAtmospheric gravity waves in the mesosphere
Atmospheric gravity waves propagate upward, carrying energy and momentum, and play a major role in atmospheric circulation. Using all-sky cameras installed in Japan and overseas, the lab studies the properties of atmospheric waves at altitudes of about 80–100 km.
*Illustrative imageLow-latitude aurora
During periods of high solar activity, red auroras that are hard to see with the naked eye are sometimes observed even in Hokkaido and northern Honshu. The lab aims to clarify how auroras visible at low latitudes form.
MembersFaculty
The Space Electromagnetic Observation Lab consists of faculty members, researchers, technical staff, administrative staff, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorKazuo Shiokawa
- ProfessorYuichi Otsuka
- Associate ProfessorNozomu Nishitani
- Associate ProfessorClaudia Martinez-Martinez-Calderon
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Multicolored aurora borealis pillar over Brastad” W.carter / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Disturbances in the mid- and high-latitude ionosphere: “Ionospheric layers from night to day” Carlos Molina / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- The equatorial ionosphere and plasma bubbles: “GPS-0012 San Diego Air & Space Museum” Blervis / CC0 (cropped)
- Atmospheric gravity waves in the mesosphere: “Gravity Waves From Super Typhoon Sinlaku (1223121 - gravitywaves vir 20260412 lrg)” NASA Earth Observatory/Michala Garrison / Public domain (cropped)
- Low-latitude aurora: “Aurora and perseids” Stephan Sprinz / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (宇宙情報処理研究グループ): “Anatomy of Earth's magnetosphere ESA518009” European Space Agency / CC BY-SA 3.0 igo (cropped)
- Related lab (ナノスピンデバイス研究グループ): “Spintronic Devices ( )” National Institute of Standards and Technology / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (プラズマエネルギー工学研究グループ): “TFTR 1989” Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory / CC BY 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (パワーエレクトロニクス研究グループ): “Circuit Board 2015” Jguarin / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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