The Ibaraki Station is located at the former
Ibaraki Satellite Communication Center of KDDI.
It hosts two radio telescopes, the Takahagi 32-m
antenna and the Hitachi 32-m antenna.
Originally, the two antennas were constructed for tracking,
telemetry and command to a telecommumication satellite by KDDI.
Then they were handed over to NAOJ, and currently operated by
NAOJ and Ibaraki University as radio telescopes.
Ibaraki University established the Center of Astronomy here,
and now contributes to the development of fundamental education
of natural science.