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国立天文台VERA石垣島天文観測局は、2020年に 一度閉鎖されることになったが、
当時の観測局職員Ｋ氏と自分(専門分野)が中心となって、地元の高校生有志団体
と共にVERAの存続の活動を行ない、当時、来島していた文科大臣に継続の陳情を
した結果、当面継続することになった。しかし、諸般の事情からそれも2026年度
までの運用となり、その後の存続は不透明である。日本の科学分野の発展のため
に、何とか長期存続運用となることを願っている。(記.JE9PEL/JR6)
The National Astronomical Observatory VERA in Ishigaki island and Ampal Farm
restaurant in Nagura area are actually very close to each other. I visited both
of them today. The VERA observation station was to be closed once in 2020, but
Mr. K, an employee of the observation station at the time, and myself (in my
field of expertise) took the lead in working with a volunteer group of the local
high school students to continue activities to ensure the continuation of VERA.
After making a petition to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science
and Technology, who was visiting Ishigaki island at the time, it was decided
that the program would continue for the time being. However, due to various
circumstances, this will only be in operation until 2026, and its continued
existence after that is unclear. I hope that it will somehow remain in operation
for a long time for the development of Japan's scientific field. (wrote @JE9PEL)