Special Exhibition “METEORHAPSODY - METEORITE EXPLORATION”

The JP Tower Museum INTERMEDIATHEQUE (IMT) will be holding a special exhibition “Meteorhapsody - Meteorite Exploration.”
This special exhibition meteorites, fragments of stars that journey through space, serve as time capsules that record the birth of the solar system 4.567 billion years ago and the subsequent evolution of planetary bodies. This exhibition showcases actual specimens, illustrating where meteorites originate, their appearance, and how they narrate the story of our solar system.
Additionally, we highlight the stories of collecting these rare and valuable samples, featuring expeditions in Antarctica—home to the world’s largest collection of meteorites, including actual specimens from the National Institute of Polar Research.
In recent years, the direct sampling of the Moon and asteroids by spacecraft has become more prevalent. Our exhibition will include special limited-time displays of asteroid samples from Ryugu, collected by JAXA’s Hayabusa2, and Bennu, gathered by NASA’s OSIRIS-REx, allowing for comparisons with similar meteorites.
Research on extraterrestrial samples, including meteorites, employs optical microscopy and X-ray and electron beam instruments for observation and analysis. The exhibition will also feature images and videos from these analyses, visualizing scientific discoveries. The media obtained through these research processes hold not only scientific importance but also artistic beauty. As such, we present an experimental exhibition that integrates imaginative visuals, light, and sound inspired by meteorites.

●Key Information
Title: Special Exhibition “METEORHAPSODY – METEORITE EXPLORATION”
Dates: November 29, 2025 – March 29, 2026
Opening Hours: 11:00-18:00 (until 20:00 on Fridays and Saturdays)
*Opening hours may change.
Closed: Mondays (or the following Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday; however, the museum is open on December 15, 22 and 29) and February 16 – 23. and New-Year holidays.May close irregularly.
Venue: Intermediatheque 2F [GREY CUBE]
Admission: Free of charge
Organizer: The University Museum, The University of Tokyo (UMUT)
Cooperation: National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
Address: KITTE 2-3F, 2-7-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN
Access: JR lines and Tokyo Metro Marunouchi line Tokyo Station (Marunouchi South Exit). Nijubashimae Station (Exit 4) on the Chiyoda Line (about 2 minutes on foot).

●Contact
+81-47-316-2772
From Japan: 050-5541-8600 (NTT Hello Dial Service)

●Interview application
press@intermediatheque.jp

●Lectures
Session 1: "What Meteorites Tells Us"
Date and Time: December 13, 2025 (Saturday) 15:00–17:00 (Doors open at 14:50)
Session 2: "Collecting Space Rocks"
Date and Time: February 7, 2026 (Saturday) 15:00–17:00 (Doors open at 14:50)
Lecturer: Takashi Mikouchi (Professor, University Museum, The University of Tokyo)
Venue: Intermediatheque 2F, Lecture Theatre ACADEMIA
Admission: Free (no reservation required)
*The number of seats is limited to 48. Your understanding is appreciated.
Language: Japanese

●Publications
- Poster (B2 size)
- Exhibition introduction card (A4 format)
- Exhibition-related calendar

●Exhibition Structure
- Meteorite specimens owned by the University Museum, The University of Tokyo
- Polarized microscope images and stage rotation videos of thin sections of meteorites
- Elemental distribution maps using electron microprobes
- Videos illustrating meteorite explorations

●Exhibition Topics
- Introduction to the significance of meteorites narrating the history of the solar system’s birth 4.567 billion years ago
- The most common meteorites (chondrites) originated from the planetesimals composed of solid materials formed first in the solar system
- Some meteorites originate from larger bodies that grew into protoplanets
- Meteorites originating from the Moon and Mars have also been discovered
- Introduction to meteorite explorations in Antarctica: Antarctica is where the most meteorites have been found in the world
- The particles collected by JAXA and NASA’s asteroid exploration missions closely resembles a group known as carbonaceous meteorites

●Main Exhibits
- Numerous meteorites originating from asteroids, the Moon and Mars
- Carbonaceous meteorite (Allende meteorite, 4 kg) containing the first solid materials in the solar system
- CI chondrite meteorite believed to have the same origin as asteroids Ryugu and Bennu
- Meteorites collected in Antarctica (on loan from the National Institute of Polar Research)
- Particles collected from asteroid Ryugu by JAXA’s Hayabusa2 sample return mission (on loan from JAXA until February 28, 2026)

●Exhibition Page
（Japanese） https://www.intermediatheque.jp/ja/schedule/view/id/IMT0294
（English） https://www.intermediatheque.jp/en/schedule/view/id/IMT0294