Researcher Information

SORAI Kazuo

Professor

Observational astronomy of galaxy evolution

Department of Physics, Nonlinear Physics

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Theme

Observational studies of galaxy evolution from points of view of interstellar gas, star formation, and galactic structures. Joining the project of the Antarctic Terahertz Telescopes.

Fieldgalactic astronomy
Keywordgalaxy, interstellar gas, star formation, galaxy evolution, observational astronomy, Antarctic astronomy

Introduction of Research

I have investigated to make clear how galaxies have evolved from a viewpoint of interstellar gas and star formation through observations. Galaxies are assemblies of stars and interstellar medium, and the Milky Way is one of examples. The shape of galaxies is various, for example, there are spiral galaxies such as the Milky Way or the neighboring Andromeda galaxy, while there are galaxies whose shape is elliptical or irregular. Properties of galaxies located in dense regions are different from those of isolated galaxies. It is important to make clear how such variety results from, in order to understand galaxy formation and evolution. I have observationally investigated distributions, dynamics, physical properties of interstellar gas, which is material of stars, and relation among them and star formation activity in nearby galaxies. In recent years, I have engaged in a project that imaged many nearby galaxies in molecular gas tracer with the Nobeyama 45-m radio telescope, “CO multi-line imaging of nearby galaxies” (COMING). (see image “CO images of 147 nearby galaxies taken in COMING project”)

I have also engaged in development of telescopes and observational instruments. In recent years, I have joined a project to construct terahertz telescopes in the Antarctica, especially developing spectrometers and data reduction system.

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CO images of 147 nearby galaxies taken in COMING project. White pseudo color represents that molecular gas is rich.

Representative Achievements

CO Multi-line Imaging of Nearby Galaxies (COMING) IV. Overview of the Project,
Sorai, K., Kuno, N., Muraoka, K., Miyamoto, Y., Kaneko, H., Nakanishi, H., Nakai, N., Yanagitani, K., Tanaka, T., Sato, Y., Salak, D., Umei, M., Morokuma-Matsui, K., Matsumoto, N., Ueno, S., Pan, H.-A., Noma, Y., Takeuchi, T.T., Yoda, M., Kuroda, M., Yasuda, A., Yajima, Y., Oi, N., Shibata, S., Seta, M., Watanabe, Y., Kita, S., Komatsuzaki, R., Kajikawa, A., Yashima, Y., Cooray, S., Baji, H., Segawa, Y., Tashiro, T., Takeda, M., Kishida, N., Hatakeyama, T., Tomiyasu, Y. Saita, C.,
Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan, 2019, Vol.71, SP1, pp.S14:1-42
Properties of Molecular Gas in the Bar of Maffei 2,
Sorai, K., Kuno, N., Nishiyama, K., Watanabe, Y., Matsui, H., Habe, A., Hirota, A., Ishihara, Y., Nakai, N.,
Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan, 2012, Vol.64, No.3, pp.51:1-10
Large-scale NH3 Observations toward the Galactic Star Forming Regions I. W 51 Molecular Clouds Complex,
Sorai, K., Habe, A., Nishitani, H., Hosaka, K., Watanabe, Y., Miwa, S., Ohishi, Y., Motogi, K., Minamidani, T., Awano, J., Sumida, S., Fukuya, Y., Uchida, R., Kaneko, N., Fujimoto, M. Y., Koyama, Y., Kimura, M., Nakai, N.,
Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan, 2008, Vol.60, No.6, pp.1285–1296
Distribution and Kinematics of Molecular Gas in Barred Spiral Galaxies. II. NGC 253,
Sorai, K., Nakai, N., Kuno, N., Nishiyama, K., Hasegawa, T.,
Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan, 2000, Vol.52, pp.785–802
Digital spectrometers for the Nobeyama 45-m telescope,
Sorai, K., Sunada, K., Okumura, S. K., Tetsuro, I., Tanaka, A., Natori, K., Onuki, H.,
Proc. SPIE Vol.4015, pp.86–95, Radio Telescopes, Harvey R. Butcher; Ed., 2000
Academic degreePh.D.
Self Introduction

I’m from Osaka.

Academic backgroundBachelor of Science, Kyoto University, 1993
Master of Science in Astronomy, The University of Tokyo, 1995
Ph.D. in Astronomy, The University of Tokyo, 1998
2021-Present Professor, Hokkaido University
Affiliated academic societyThe Astronomial Society of Japan, International Astronomical Union
ProjectNRO 45-m Telescope Legacy Program, "CO Multi-line Imaging of Nearby Galaxies" (COMING)
Room addressScience Building 2 2-316
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Belongs