Maunakea Skies: Mapping the Milky Way

‘Imiloa Astronomy Center will host its next Maunakea Skies program on Dec. 18 at 7 p.m., featuring Dr. André-Nicolas Chené of Gemini Observatory.

Dr. Chené will explore the Milky Way Galaxy, providing an up-to-date description of the Milky Way and offer an introduction into some of the techniques that astronomers have developed to measure various aspects of the galaxy in the talk titled “Mapping the Milky Way Without Leaving Earth.”

‘Imiloa Astronomy Center courtesy photo.

Through the use of data visualization tools within ‘Imiloa’s digital dome, Dr. Chené will be able to talk the audience through the galaxy’s spiral arms, where stars, star clusters, and dust clouds will be encountered. In addition, he will show the audience how the light of the stars can aid in understanding what, and where, they are.

Dr. Chené studied stellar physics and the atmospheres of massive stars at Université de Montréal and now works as an Assistant Scientist at the Gemini Observatory. He has worked as a research associate at the National Research Council of Canada in Victoria, and later went on to hold a joint postdoctoral position at the Universities of Concepcion and Valparaiso, both in Chile.

In Hawai’i, Dr. Chené is pursuing research on the massive stars and star clusters in the Milky Way. He is an active science team member of the European Southern Observatory’s public survey of the central part of the Milky Way, and many figures shared during the presentation will come from that survey.

Emily Peavy, ‘Imiloa Planetarium Technician, will host the Maunakea Skies program. She will provide observational highlights of the current night sky over Hawai’i.

‘Imiloa’s Maunakea Skies program is held every third Friday of the month.

Tickets are $8 for individual, dual, kupuna, and family members; $6 for patron members; and free for silver, gold, and corporate members. Non-members will pay $10.

Visit ‘Imiloa’s front desk for tickets or call 969-9703.