The Department of Physical Sciences conducts research to understand of the formation and evolution of the universe, with a primary emphasis on Earth history. The specimens and materials in our collections include key components of the 4.6 billion year evolution of the Solar System, such as meteorites, rocks and minerals that form the Earth's crust, and mantle materials from the Earth's interior. The department also collects observational and experimental instruments used to study the Earth and outer space, as well as materials related to the theoretical research that forms the foundation of the physical sciences. In addition to conducting research on these subjects, the department compiles databases of collected specimens and materials to facilitate their use in research, education, and exhibition.

The Division of Geology studies the materials and processes that have shaped the Earth's surface throughout its history, including the formation of rocks and the chemistry, crystal structure, and origin of the minerals that compose them.

Current research topics being pursued by our staff members include:

• The genesis of magma and eruption mechanisms of large igneous provinces and island arc volcanoes
• The formation of the Japanese Islands and surrounding regions based on the age and chemical composition of minerals found in magmatic and sedimentary rocks
• The conditions of mineral formation and description of new mineral species based on chemical composition and crystal structure analysis

Our collections aim to comprehensively sample the Earth's rocks and minerals and include new minerals discovered each year and seafloor rock samples from research cruises.

The Division of Physics and Chemistry conducts observational and experimental research in astronomy, geophysics, chemistry, and physics and collects and studies materials related to these fields.

Key research areas include:

• Astronomy: Observational studies of binary and variable stars
• Geophysics: Earthquakes and tsunami
• Chemistry: Physical chemistry and reaction chemistry
• Physics: Materials science and the intellectual history of the physical sciences

Our collections include a wide range of historical and scientific materials, including astronomical artifacts such as calendars, telescopes, binoculars, and celestial and terrestrial globes; geophysical instruments such as earthquake photographs, seismographs, surveying instruments; meteorite samples, including many that have fallen in Japan; and historical objects that illustrate the development of science in Japan, including the personal collections of pioneering Japanese scientists like Hantaro Nagaoka and Umetaro Suzuki.