Galactic Radio Astronomy

Yoshiaki Sofue works on theoretical aspects of radio astronomy, galactic astrophysics, galactic dynamics, and interstellar physics. In particular, he focuses on galaxies (specifically the Milky Way Galaxy), galactic center, and interstellar matter.

Prof. Sofue received his Ph.D. at the Department of Astronomy, The University of Tokyo, in 1973. Between 1968 and 1982 he was a research associate at Nagoya University, the Department of Physics. Between 1982 and 1987 he was an associate professor at the Nobeyama Radio Observatory, The University of Tokyo, and at the Department of Astronomy, The University of Tokyo, between 1987 and 1988. Between 1988 and 2006 he was a full professor at the Institute of Astronomy, The University of Tokyo. During that period he was appointed the Director of the Institute of Astronomy and the Director of Kiso Observatory. In 2006 he became an emeritus professor at The University of Tokyo and in 2007 joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Kagoshima University and the Department of Physics, Astronomy Laboratory at Meisei University between 2010 and 2013 as a professor, respectively. From 1976, he frequently joined the Max-Planck-Institute für Radioastronomie as an Alexander von Humboldt fellow, and, notably, was also supported by a Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship in 2007.

Prof. Sofue has served as a member of the Science Council of Japan, and also has contributed to the Astronomical Society of Japan (ASJ) as an Executive Committee member, Council member, Vice President, and President. He was an editor of the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan. He joined the Organizing Committee of Division VI of the International Astronomical Union and is currently a member of the International Astronomical Union.