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Part Promotion of Scientific Research

Earth science is aimed at elucidating the basic mechanisms of the phenomena which take place on the inside and outside of the earth. Because earth science deals with a planet inhabited by humans, some of its aspects are closely related with human social life.

In meteorology, due to the development of upper-air observation networks and the advance of the computer, atmospheric dynamics was established, in which atmospheric general circulation modeling has been developed and the undulation phenomena of the atmosphere have been clarified. The epoch-making event in meteorology was the observation from a meteorological satellite, which first presents the global features of the earth atmosphere.

In physical oceanography open-ocean circulation, wind waves, as well as coastal oceanography are the main research subjects.

In the studies of inland water and cryosphere, the main research subjects include the water cycle on the earth and the material cycle accompanying it. Also, the analysis of samples obtained by deep drilling into the Antarctic ice sheet has made it possible to estimate changes which have taken place in the earth environment over the last 160,000 years.

An epoch-making event in solid-state geophysics was the establishment of the theoretical framework of plate tectonics by observing the sea floor. Through plate tectonics the global observation of the earth crust has become possible. Further, observation by planetary exploration has led to a new viewpoint of planetary evolution by comparing the earth and other planets, and thus it could be said that earth science is being changed into "the science of the third planet of the solar system".

Mineralogy, as a materials science, involves the internal structure of the earth and the planets and has developed into three different fields, namely, (1) ultra-microanalysis of the earth materials, (2) the synthesis, as well as the elucidation of the nature of materials taken from the deep interior of the earth, and (3) the understanding of the process that causes crystals to grow and also causes their dissolution under extreme conditions, by means of molecular dynamic calculation.

Space science is roughly divided into three disciplines, namely, astronomy and space physics, solar-terrestrial science, and solar system science including solid-state planeto-physics.

Modern astronomy has remarkably developed and has created the big-bang cosmology. Japanese researchers contributed greatly to the development of astronomy in the latter half of the 20th century. In X-ray astronomy which deals with the physics of ultra-high density celestial bodies, such as the black hole, Japan is also playing a leading role in the world in observatory research by scientific satellites and relevant theoretical research. Japan is standing in the world's forefront in the observation of inter-stel1ar molecules by large radio telescopes and in the c1arification of the birth process of fixed stars, planets and planetary systems.

Solar-terrestrial science has grown into a big field which includes, not only studies on the response of the atmosphere and magnetic fields surrounding the earth to solar activities, but also research on solar space and the upper atmosphere and magnetosphere of other planets. The most notable development in recent years is the success of probes which were dispatched to various planets of the solar system and sent back valuable data. To give a few examples, scientific satellites "Sakigake" and "Suisei" elucidated the mode of interactions between the gas blown off from Halley's comet and the solar winds. "Akebono" observed auroral phenomena and revealed new information which critically altered established ideas. In addition, Japanese universities greatly contributed to the development of this research field by explaining the undulation and turbulence phenomena of the middle atmosphere by the MU radar.

In solid-state planetary science, many new discoveries were attained through the analysis of lunar rocks from the Apollo project, as well as through the analysis of the moon, Mars, Venus and ice planets by means of image data. Planetary exploration by probes is considered an important step toward the discovery of the origin and evolution of the solar system and its various planets. Japan's contribution in this field is expected to be significant.

The development of space engineering has resulted in rapid progress in various fields of space science. Space engineering at Japanese universities has developed through planning and practicing scientific space programs and verifying the development technology through them. Space engineering has established the foundation of inter-planetary flight techniques through Mu rockets, Halley's comet exploration and lunar swing-by missions.

There will be many important subjects in earth and space science for the future. In meteorology, the physical understanding of the climate system in relation to the earth environment issues and materials cycle in the climate system, especially materials, cycle in connection with the origin of life will be important. In ocean science, the clarification of roles of oceans for climate and, especially, the development and establishment of ocean modeling, and the establishment of new observational techniques, including satellite observation, will be of urgent necessity. In solid-state earth science, the important subjects will include: the clarification of the structure, mechanism, and materials cycle in the earth's interior; comparative planetology resulting from the development of planetary exploration; and the understanding of the evolution of the solar system, as well as of the earth. For the earthquake and volcanic eruptions prediction program, the current efforts for catching the premonitoring symptoms should be continued, and it is expected that the studies of the structure and movement of the earth's interior near the crust and mantle will increase in its importance. In geology, the development of plate tectonics has exerted a great influence, and the areas in common between geology and geophysics will increase.

In mineralogy, the important research subjects will include: the dynamic process of crystal growth at an atomic level; the properties of space materials. Such as meteorites and cosmic dust; and relevant experiments under extra-high pressure or very high temperature. It is also expected that the utilization of emitted light will open up another new research field. In astronomy, interest is now strongly focused on the observational space theory which is expected to trace the image of space by studying more celestial bodies in terms of their distribution, motion and chemical composition. The importance of this theory will increase in the coming

years.

In solar-terrestrial science, the important subjects for further understanding basic characteristics of space plasma will include: the clarification of physical phenomena which take place on the borderlines between plasma spheres of different quality; the explanation of competitive relationships among different elementary processes; the comprehensive research of atmospheric behaviors; and the clarification of the 22-year periodic changes and the secular changes. In so1id-state space science, theoretical research and numerical experiments involving the processes from protosolar nebula to planets will be important. Also, the reproduction of the protosolar processes in the laboratory, the decoding of meteorite information, and the high resolution observation of planets by telescope will offer new directions for future research. In space engineering, the standardization and quantitative expansion of activities in space will be important. Space engineering at universities should contribute to the foundation of space technology, including the anticipated research on future space transportation techniques and joint evaluation of the solar power satellite in terms of energy issues. These issues should be considered important subjects for the future. Further, the utilization of microgravity environments, solar energy and other celestial resources are now under discussion as future possibilities.