Motoko Inata

About

Motoko Inata is a key figure in time-domain astrophysics, best known for her foundational work on the MITSuME (Multicolor Imaging Telescopes for Survey and Monstrous Explosions) project. Her research centers on the development of robotic, multi-band optical telescopes designed for the rapid detection and follow-up of gamma-ray bursts and other transient cosmic phenomena. Inata’s major contribution lies in the design and construction of two 50-cm optical telescopes—one at Akeno and another at the Okayama Astrophysical Observatory—each equipped with three CCD cameras for simultaneous g’RcIc photometry. This innovative system enables wide-field, real-time, three-color imaging, dramatically improving the ability to capture the early afterglows of explosive events. While her most-cited paper (2005, 18 citations) and its follow-up (2007, 6 citations) report the technical development and deployment of MITSuME, the project’s true impact is measured by the countless transient discoveries it has enabled across the astronomical community. Inata’s work represents a significant engineering and scientific achievement, providing a critical infrastructure for studying the most violent explosions in the universe.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   MITSuME—Multicolor Imaging Telescopes for Survey and
\nMonstrous Explosions

   18 citations · 2005
2. 2
   MITSuME--Multicolor Imaging Telescopes for Survey and Monstrous Explosions

   6 citations · 2007

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links