The Final Lecture: Prof. Tamura

Captain’s Log: Stardate 60345.8

Today, I attended the final lecture of my esteemed supervisor, Professor Motohide Tamura, who is retiring from University of Tokyo this year. It’s hard to put into words just how much impact he has had—not just on me, but on the entire field of astronomy. His farewell talk was a journey through decades of research, from molecular clouds to cutting-edge exoplanet instruments.

Professor Tamura started his research journey studying magnetic fields in molecular clouds during his graduate years. Using aperture polarimetry, he was part of the effort to detect circumstellar disks, back when exoplanet studies weren’t even a major field yet.

Then came his postdoc years—an era when infrared astronomy was still in its infancy. He worked on two-dimensional infrared detectors, a technology that would later revolutionize how we observe the universe. His research took him to Tucson, where he was at the forefront of developing infrared cameras. At the same time, he attempted submillimeter-wave polarimetry and eventually dove into the search for brown dwarfs and exoplanets.

By the late 90s, exoplanets were a hot topic, and he became deeply involved in instrument development for exoplanet detection. Some of his key contributions include:

Direct Imaging: From CIAO to HiCIAO to SCExAO, he contributed to the evolution of high-contrast imaging systems designed to directly observe exoplanets.
Radial Velocity: He worked on IRD (InfraRed Doppler), pushing the limits of detecting planets around cool stars.

But his impact wasn’t just about instruments—he also helped establish the Astrobiology Center, recognizing early on that studying exoplanets isn’t just about finding them, but also about understanding their potential for life.

One of the key takeaways from his talk was how astrobiology is now considered one of the most important fields of the next few decades. Missions like HWO (Habitable Worlds Observatory) and LIFE (Large Interferometer for Exoplanets) will take us closer to answering one of the biggest questions in science: Are we alone in the universe? But there’s still a long way to go, and the research landscape is evolving fast.

Professor Tamura has been more than a researcher, he has been a motivator, an innovator, and a relentless explorer. His ability to inspire, push boundaries, and embrace the unknown has left a lasting impact on those fortunate enough to learn from him.

As he embarks on the next chapter of his journey, his influence will continue. The universe is vast, and the course he has charted will lead many more to new discoveries.

Captain out.