Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Tohoku University

Prof. Hideaki Fujiwara (Specially Appointed Associate Professor) at the Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Tohoku University, has published a study analyzing the scholarly impact of research papers based on early observations with the Subaru Telescope. The Subaru Telescope is an 8.2-meter optical-infrared telescope atop Maunakea, Hawaii, and operated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan as one of the country’s leading astronomical research facilities.

 

This study evaluated astronomy papers published between 1996 and 2007 using bibliometric methods based on citation indicators. The analysis revealed that, although Subaru-based papers accounted for less than 10% of Japan’s total astronomy output, they achieved notably high citation performance, far exceeding the world average. The results highlight the scientific value of the Subaru Telescope and demonstrate the academic return of Japan’s large-scale research facilities in quantitative terms.

 

This research was published in the academic journal Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan on September 17, 2025.

Publication Details:
Title: A bibliometric analysis of the scholarly impact of early Subaru Telescope-based publications
Author: Hideaki Fujiwara
Journal: Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan
DOI: 10.1093/pasj/psaf100
URL: https://academic.oup.com/pasj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/pasj/psaf100/8256513