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Space Physics (Infrared) (Uir) Lab
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A lab that explores the evolution of matter in the universe through infrared astronomical observation.
AboutAbout the lab
Exploring the evolution of matter in the universe
The Infrared Group (Uir) of the Space Physics Lab develops instruments for infrared observation on satellites, balloons, and ground-based telescopes, and carries out astronomical observations.
The universe contains countless solid particles called dust, which play an important role in the formation of organic matter, the formation of solid planets, and the evolution of galaxies.
Through observation, the lab seeks to clarify how dust is produced and how it evolves, and to understand how today's rich universe was created.
Graduate students are trained to gain experience in both analyzing data from currently active satellites and developing instruments for the next satellite.
Key terms
- Infrared
- The region of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths from about 1 μm to several hundred μm
- Dust
- Solid particles that exist in space. They block visible light while glowing in infrared themselves
- Fine-structure line
- Light of a specific wavelength emitted by atoms or ions. Here it refers to the line at 157.74 μm emitted by singly ionized carbon
ResearchResearch themes
Using infrared observations of the universe, the lab investigates how the interstellar medium evolves into stars, planets, and life. It works on both the analysis of observational data and the development of next-generation observation instruments.
*Illustrative imageObservations with the AKARI infrared astronomy satellite
The lab played a central role in developing the Far-Infrared Surveyor. It also played a central role in analyzing the all-sky mid-infrared images, and uses them to study planetary system formation and the evolution of matter in galaxies.
*Illustrative imageDevelopment of next-generation observation instruments
The lab is developing cryogenic reflective optics and detectors for a mid-infrared camera, new far-infrared detectors, and observation techniques for atmospheric spectroscopy of exoplanets. Through future observations, it aims to approach the mystery of how the interstellar medium evolves into stars, planets, and life.
*Illustrative imageFar-infrared spectroscopy with the Indian balloon telescope
This is a joint balloon experiment with the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in India and JAXA. A Japanese spectrometer is mounted on India's balloon telescope with a 1 m aperture, and the physical state of star-forming regions is investigated using the fine-structure line of singly ionized carbon. The website's description of the balloon experiment dates from around 2018.
*Illustrative imageInstrument development and observations for the IRSF telescope in South Africa
The lab is developing a spectrometer that can observe visible light and near-infrared simultaneously for the IRSF, a near-infrared telescope with a 1.4 m aperture in South Africa. It is also advancing research that uses IRSF data to study the distribution of elements in supernova remnants, galaxies, and other objects.
MembersFaculty
The members of the U Lab Infrared Group consist of faculty, researchers, doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students, and a secretary.As of 2026
- ProfessorHidehiro Kaneda
- Project ProfessorTaro Matsuo
- LecturerNatsuko Izumi
- LecturerTakuma Kokusho
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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: “Technicians check out the mounting structure of the infrared telescope installed in NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) (ED )” NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center / NASA/Tony Landis / Public domain (cropped)
- Observations with the AKARI infrared astronomy satellite: “ASTRO-F 'AKARI' illust” 宇宙航
空 研究開発機構・宇宙科学研究所(JAXA/ISAS)、 https://www.isas.jaxa.jp/en/researchers/data-policy/ 、 https://www.isas.jaxa.jp/researchers/data-policy/ 、 Originally from NEC. / CC BY 4.0 (cropped) - Development of next-generation observation instruments: “Detector array on the focal plane of the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS)” NASA / Public domain (cropped)
- Far-infrared spectroscopy with the Indian balloon telescope: “NASA Scientific Balloon Team Hopes to Break Flight Duration Record with New Zealand Launch ( )” NASA Goddard Space Flight Center from Greenbelt, MD, USA / Public domain (cropped)
- Instrument development and observations for the IRSF telescope in South Africa: “South African Astronomical Observatory (sutherland aerial view)” Pschella / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Astrophysics (A) Lab): “CSIRO ScienceImage 559 Radio Telescopes at the Australia Telescope Compact Array” division, CSIRO / CC BY 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Space Physics (High-Energy Astronomy) (Uxg) Lab): “Chandra X-Ray Observatory in STS-93 Columbia's payload bay (MSFC-9904742)” NASA/KSC / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Cosmology (C) Lab): “Hubble reveals galactic drama -image 5- (heic0406h)” NASA, ESA, and S. Beckwith (STScI) and the HUDF Team / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (Galaxy Evolution (Ω) Lab): “UGC 1810 and UGC 1813 in Arp 273 (captured by the Hubble Space Telescope)” NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) / Public domain (cropped)
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