[Luna Co., Ltd.] “Observatory bathing” that is not forest bathing – Kyusan Sangyo University and Minamiaso Luna Observatory conduct a demonstration experiment to demonstrate the healing effect that astronomical observation at a public observatory has on participants *Luna Co., Ltd.*
Press release: September 6, 2024
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“Observatory bathing” that is not forest bathing – Kyusan Sangyo University and Minamiaso Luna Observatory conduct a demonstration experiment to demonstrate the healing effect that astronomical observation at a public observatory has on participants
*Japan is an observatory powerhouse with one of the world’s largest number of facilities! What kind of effect does participating in a stargazing session at a public observatory have on the human body? Japan’s first demonstration experiment of “Observatory Bath”, which is expected to have the effect of enhancing well-being, will be conducted in Kumamoto Prefecture on September 10th*
By seeing real celestial bodies with your own eyes through a huge telescope at a public observatory and listening to easy-to-understand explanations from experts, you can get excited about the wonders of the universe, make your own worries seem small, and improve your well-being. is expected.
◆Overview
Japan’s first scientific demonstration experiment of “observatory bathing,” which is expected to improve the well-being of users through astronomical observation at public observatories, will be conducted at Minamiaso Luna Observatory (Kumamoto Prefecture, Takashi Miyamoto).
The event will be held on September 10th (postponed to September 11th and 17th due to weather). This project was conducted by Kyushu Sangyo University (Fukuoka Prefecture, Izumi Ogata) as part of the “Museum Bathing” research, which utilizes the healing effects of museums to improve people’s health and prevent diseases through museum tours. This is a collaborative project between the Minamiaso Luna Observatory and the Minamiaso Luna Observatory.
* ◆“Museum Bathing” research is progressing in Europe *
* Museum bathing is an attempt to improve physical and mental health through a sense of healing through museum tours, similar to “forest bathing,” and research is underway in Europe and other countries. * For example, King’s College London has a Wellcome Trust grant to explore the effectiveness and scalability of arts-based interventions for mental health in the South/East London area. Work is being carried out on a large-scale national research project “Sharpar”. The project, carried out by a team of clinicians, researchers, charities, artists and academic health professionals, focuses on post-natal depression, pre- and post-natal mental health, Parkinson’s disease and stroke. An intervention program has been set up, with 800
We anticipate citizen participation. This project also includes * Our aim is to inspire NHS organizations and clinical leaders to expand the scope of ‘social prescribing’ and enable them to regularly ‘prescribe’ evidence-based arts interventions.
* This can be said to be an activity that is being undertaken at the national level.
In Japan, Kyushu Sangyo University Izumi Ogata
The specially appointed professor is conducting demonstration experiments all over the country as a leading authority on “museum bathing.” We measure blood pressure and heart rate before and after the museum visit, and conduct psychological tests, etc.*
We conduct surveys on changes in physical and mental conditions, and have so far held at 75 theaters across the country, collecting data on 1094 people *.
Verification of the relaxing effect of museum bathing. Izumi Ogata. 2021. Journal of the Society for Regional Co-creation
vol.6http://repository.kyusan-u.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/11178/8117/1/chiiki%20vol.6_04.pdf (Referenced September 2, 2024)
* ◆“Observatory bathing” that can be experienced at a public observatory to improve well-being *
* Japan has over 300 astronomical observatories that provide astronomical explanations for the general public using telescopes that anyone can look into, making it one of the largest in the world * . Facilities that mainly conduct public activities using such telescopes are called “public observatories.” The main purpose of public observatories is to provide opportunities for lifelong learning through the starry sky and celestial bodies, and to contribute to enriching the lives of their users (improving their well-being), rather than engaging in research activities themselves.
At Minamiaso Luna Observatory, from the perspective that public observatories are a type of museum, we focus on the healing effects and vitality that can be obtained by observing stars and learning about space and the starry sky at the observatory.*
We advocate “Observatory Bathing,” which is a type of museum bathing, and offer the “Luna Observatory Bathing Program,” which allows you to fully enjoy the well-being-enhancing effects of “Observatory Bathing” at our accommodation experience facility. *.
Distribution of public observatories and telescope apertures in Japan. White paper on public observatories. Japan Public Observatory Association.
2006 (some additions) Referenced September 2, 2024
https://www.koukaitenmondai.jp/whitepaper/whitepaper.html
Luna Observatory bathing program, experience at Hoshimigahara ◆Expert comment
National Museum of Nature and Science Deputy Director Yuji Kurihara Among the various museums that cover everything from astronomy to the top and geography to the bottom, the observatory’s exhibition room is a vast starry sky. Observatory bathing has truly limitless
possibilities and is expected to have a great effect on people’s well-being*
. *
Yasuhiko Murakami, Chairman of the Japan Public Observatory Association Recently, people in Japan have begun to talk about well-being. I believe that the observatory bath is a practice of this well-being. I hope that awareness of observatory bathing will increase, and that it will become common for more people to visit observatories in search of healing and good health both physically and mentally.
* National Astronomical Observatory of Japan Associate Professor Hidehiko Agata* With the revision of the Museum Law, “cultural tourism” has become a part of museum operations, and we hope to see the effects of observatory bathing along with starry sky tourism.
◆Investigation details
Agency for Cultural Affairs 2020 “University Culture and Arts Promotion Project” Minamiaso Luna Observatory + Kyushu Sangyo University Collaboration Project Public demonstration experiment of observatory bath
the purpose
● We will clarify the “effects of observatory bathing on the mind and body of those who experience it” using demonstration experiment methods in museum bathing.
date and time
● Date: 1st September 10, 2024 (Tuesday) Moon age 7.3 Sunset around 18:40-50 minutes
*In case of bad weather, postponed to September 11th (Wednesday) or September 17th (Tuesday)
● Time: 18:00 – 21:30 End *Dissolution at 22:10 (planned)
place
● Minamiaso Luna Observatory Auberge Mori no Atelier
● Address: 1810 Shirakawa, Minamiaso Village, Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture Sponsored by Minamiaso Luna Observatory, Kyushu Sangyo University Target participants (about 10 people)
● Care worker
● Healthy people over 20 years old
● Those who are interested in the starry sky, astronomy, and public observatories.
● Those who are able to participate all day (in principle), including reserve days.
Content
● Before moving to the venue or after arriving at the venue, you will be asked to complete a simple questionnaire and physiological measurements to confirm your current condition.
● After taking a bath at the observatory, participants will be asked to give their impressions about the bathing experience at the observatory.
Time schedule for the day
18:00 First physiological and psychological measurement (30 minutes) before departure at Genki Village “Nishihara Shoyuen”
・Explanation of measurement method, consent to participate in measurement, and start of measurement.
– Obtain initial values using a wristwatch-type blood pressure/pulse monitor and psychological paper (POMS).
18:30 Light snack, then preparation for moving
19:00 Move from welfare facility to Minamiaso Luna Observatory (40 minutes) *Move by shared bus
19:40 After arrival, second physiological/psychological measurement (about 20 minutes)
19:55 Move to the observatory (5 minutes)
20:00 Observatory bathing experience (30 minutes)
20:30 After the observatory bath, 3rd physiological/psychological measurement (20 minutes)
20:50 Move to measurement location (5 minutes) Toilet break
20:55 Tea time (tea and sweets), explanation of “Current Museum Bath Research” (15 minutes)
21:10 Review and questionnaire (20 minutes)
Finished at 21:30 and left the observatory.
22:10 Return to the facility and disperse.
Verification of the relaxing effect of museum bathing. Izumi Ogata. 2021. Journal of the Society for Regional Co-creation
vol.6http://repository.kyusan-u.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/11178/8117/1/chiiki%20vol.6_04.pdf (Referenced September 2, 2024)
◆Overview of Minamiaso Luna Observatory
Established 1996
Representative: Chief Takashi Miyamoto
Museum type: Public observatory, museum-equivalent facility
Member organizations: Japan Public Observatory Association, Japan Museum Council, National Science Museum Council, Japan Planetarium Council
An overnight public observatory located in Aso-Kuju National Park, Kumamoto Prefecture, operated by Luna Inc. (official website
). Researching the effects of astronomical experiences on the mind and body from the perspective of social prescriptions that are spreading internationally, building experience programs that contribute to well-being, developing specialized human resources, and developing next-generation public astronomical observatories that can be extended online. put effort into. (
Click here for the research digital archive
Eight students at Nagoya University conduct an experiment to seriously measure the healing effects of “museum bathing” [Aichi Prefecture]: Asahi Shimbun Digital
Modern Times | “Museum bath” and “museum prescription.” A museum that is also used for health and welfare
Minamiaso Luna Observatory
Research Digital Archive
Accommodation experience facility Auberge “Mori no Atelier” official website