Kiichi Okita
Papers
2
Total Citations
24
H-Index
2
About
Kiichi Okita is a key figure in the development of rapid-response, multi-color optical astronomy, with a primary focus on the study of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and other transient astrophysical phenomena. His most significant contribution is the design and construction of the MITSuME (Multicolor Imaging Telescopes for Survey and Monstrous Explosions) system, a project that has defined his career. This innovative system consists of 50-cm optical telescopes equipped with three dedicated CCD cameras, enabling simultaneous photometry in the g', Rc, and Ic bands. By covering a wide field of view, MITSuME was designed to provide immediate, multi-color follow-up observations of GRB afterglows, allowing for critical early-time color measurements that help constrain the physics of these monstrous explosions. Okita’s work on establishing observatory sites at Akeno and the Okayama Astrophysical Observatory was instrumental in creating a robust, automated survey network. While his foundational papers on the MITSuME instrumentation have accumulated over 20 citations, the true impact of his work lies in the operational success of the telescopes, which have enabled numerous time-domain studies and contributed to the broader infrastructure for transient astronomy in Japan.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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