Astronomy Center Opens Doors on Family Day

‘Imiloa Astronomy Center celebrates its 8th anniversary on Sunday, March 9, at its annual Family Day sponsored by KTA Super Stores.

This year’s event also celebrates the 10th anniversary of “Journey through the Universe,” a national science and space education program in Hilo.

‘Imiloa’s Family Day is free from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m., and the first 500 keiki visitors will receive a special ‘Imiloa giveaway to take home.

There will be open access to ‘Imiloa’s exhibit hall, free 20-minute planetarium programs, garden tours, and the Journey through the Universe presentations featuring inspiring astronomy talks every hour.

KTA Super Stores will have chili and rice, hotdogs, and salad for purchase, and free birthday cake will be served to the first 1,000 visitors.

Journey through the Universe, a national science education initiative, will feature astronomy professionals starting at 10 a.m., including favorites such as Dr. Scott Fisher and Kevin Caruso.

Hilo’s “Journey through the Universe,” a full week of cosmic exploration and science education will run March 6-14, 2014, engaging local students, teachers and parents in learning activities at Gemini and the other observatories on Maunakea, the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, NASA, the Department of Education Hilo/ Waiakea Complex Area and the many community partners that have sponsored “Journey through the Universe” since 2004.

The Hilo site has been nationally recognized as the flagship “Journey” program in the nation.

Hands-on activities showcasing nano-technology — a nanometer is a billionth of a meter wide — will be featured at stations in the exhibit hall throughout the day.

“We have appreciated the support of the local community these eight years and want to say ‘Mahalo’ and invite the public to the Center,” said Ka‘iu Kimura, executive director of ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center. “Opening our doors free to the community is our way of showing gratitude for that support, made possible by the generosity of the Barry Taniguchi and the KTA Super Stores ‘ohana.”

A special membership discount of $10 off all levels of ‘Imiloa membership, including renewals, also will be offered at Family Day.

Visit the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i website for more info.