National Institute of Polar Research

Japan's Antarctic research institute, keeper of one of the largest meteorite collections in the world.

Key facts

Where

Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan

Kind

Research collection

Visiting

Mainly for researchers; some material lent to museums

In 1969 a Japanese Antarctic team found nine meteorites on the blue ice near the Yamato Mountains. It was the first sign that Antarctic ice concentrates meteorites, and it changed meteorite science. Japanese expeditions have since recovered about 17,000 meteorites, named Yamato and Asuka after the areas where they were found.

They are curated at the National Institute of Polar Research in Tachikawa, west of central Tokyo, which runs an Antarctic meteorite research centre and lends samples to scientists worldwide. The collection includes many lunar and Martian meteorites; Yamato 791197, found in 1979, was among the first meteorites recognised as coming from the Moon. A small public science museum at the institute tells the story of Japan's Antarctic research.

Highlights

• Yamato meteorites about 17,000 from Antarctica
• Yamato 791197 an early lunar meteorite Lunar (anorth)

Related pages

Opening times, what is on display and access to research collections change over time, so check with the institution before you visit.