"The solar eclipse information center" was established at the end of the year of 1977. " Solar eclipse information " Magazine itself was published in 1976 by the advanced amateur interested person. The purpose of that was to tell the information and the observation method of the Australian solar eclipse in 1976. However, it ended the mission after the solar eclipse.

There is long history in the solar eclipse observation for the eclipse seen in Japan by the amateur from Meiji era. At the time of Meiji era and Taishou era, information for the solar eclipse was mainly given by the government organizations such as the Ministry of Education and it was often spreaded through the educational organizations in each local place. Also, " The Astronomical Herald " which the Astronomical Society of Japan issues and "TEN-KAI, the heaven world " which the TOA Astronomcal Society issues, were providing information aggressively.

Lastly 1963, in among for a while, there got not to be a solar eclipse which can be seen in Japan. The amateur went out to the foreign countries for the first time and observed a solar eclipse was the Siberia solar eclipse in 1968. After it, 1970, 72, 73, 74 and then 76 the observation in the foreign countries continued. However, at that time, the number of the amateurs which go out to the foreign countries was just a small number.Then, there was not an organization which provides the small number amateur information yet. Actualy there were persons who go out to the foreign countries without knowing the situation of the observation place and in detail of the solar eclipse. There were many persons who wants to see a solar eclipse overseas but didn't find where and when there is a solar eclipse either how to get the observation place in the foreign countries .

In 1977, the total solar eclipse occured on the Pacific Ocean, north off the Hawaii. Since there is no island in the totality zone, a group made the observing plan taking an airplane. They chartered a jetliner. If the plan went successfully, it would be the first time in Japan that the amateur made the observation using airplane. However, this plan was called off because the number of the participants wasn't adequate to charter a jetliner.

We again recognized the condition of the information lack to the amateur as mentioned above. Therefore, we planned to restore " The solar eclipse information " magazine and to spread information regularly for the amateur. Then, we established "The solar eclipse information center" as the organization for its purpose. We decided to make the contents of " The solar eclipse information " magazine wide ranges such as the tour information, the observation report, the astronomical condition of the solar eclipse, the preservation of health sanitation measure in the area, the bservation machinery, materials and the observation method, and the related literature introduction. Then, we decided that "The solar eclipse information center" provids onlt the information in being pure and the fairness and not supports any profit-making business firm. Also, we decided to publish 3 - 4 volumes of "the solar eclipse information " magazines in a year because of limited work load of the volunteer staff. For us, the major concern was economical justification. How many demand of the magazine we will have? How much publication expenses we should pay? After all, we expected the number of the subscribers from 100 to 200. Also, we searched the printshop which is as cheap as possible and held down an expense. Then, we decided that even a staff should pay for receiving own magazine. All authers should be volanteers with no payment. We only hand the authors several extra copies of "The solar eclipse information" magazine. In this way, we published the first magazine on January 29th,1978.

We are always thinking that the contents of " The solar eclipse information " magazine are to be as much as possible in the wide area and be useful for the person who goes out actually to the observation. Moreover, we thought that there was a limit in the communication and the exchange of the information only through the print then , we held conventions such as the report meeting and the studying meeting approximately every year. Fortunately we have 150 to 200 attendance in every convention and had good acceptance.

With pursuing a year, the stager of the solar eclipse observation increased.Moreover, the influence of them makes increasing the person who eager to see a solar eclipse. Especially, after the annular eclipse in 1987, the solar eclipse fancier increased explosively. Also, the many tour agents recognized that the solar eclipse tour becoming a commercial base business. Therefore, on the other hand, the aspect of the solar eclipse observation ( the observation and the excursion ) is changing plainly, and which causes the various new problems, also.

" The Solar eclipse information " magazine is a small publication. However, problems which we will face to from now on will not be small.