Astronomy
This month’s full Beaver Moon is last supermoon of 2024
Earth and its constant cosmic companion have their final closest encounter of the year tonight. Moonrise is between 5;40 and 5:43 p.m. today, depending on where you are on the Big Island, but the moon will still look full through Sunday morning in case you miss it.
Fastest-feeding black hole in the early Universe discovered by U.S. scientists
“This black hole is having a feast,” said astronomer Julia Scharwächter.
UH Mānoa: New study reveals methane-rich crust on Titan could hold clues to life
Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, may offer new insights into planetary atmospheres, climates, and even the potential for life beyond Earth.
Top 10 things to do on the Big Island for Oct. 24-30: Don’t want to deal with Ironman crowds? Looking for something other than Halloween fun? We’ve got you covered
There are plenty of other events and activities happening around the Big Island that can keep you and the family busy. Check out out top 10 things to do on the Big Island now!
‘Absolutely breathtaking’: Big Islanders awed by partial solar eclipse
Many across social media platforms posted their photos from the cosmic alignment that placed the moon between the sun and Earth, including Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Hawai‘i to greet the dawn Wednesday with special solar spectacle
Second partial solar eclipse of the year visible from the islands will already be underway as the sun rises. Get a great picture from the solar showcase and send it to Big Island Now to have it included in a community photo gallery.
Keck Observatory on Maunakea spots biggest pair of black hole jets ever seen
The jet megastructure dates to a time when our universe was 6.3 billion years old, or less than half its present age of 13.8 billion years.
Rekindle your curiosity: Take part in International Observe the Moon Night
The annual event encourages moon enthusiasts and curious people around the globe to come together and learn about lunar science and exploration, take part in celestial observations and honor cultural and personal connections to Earth’s constant companion.
Findings of outer Solar System revealed using information gathered from the Subaru Telescope on Hawaiʻi Island and New Horizons spacecraft
Survey observations using the Subaru Telescope’s ultra-widefield prime focus camera have revealed that there may be a population of small bodies further out in the Kuiper Belt waiting to be discovered.
Mauna Kea telescope seeks mystery couple after stellar summit proposal at sunset
The sunset summit proposal was recorded by the unmanned observatory’s front door camera at about 6:30 p.m. Aug. 13. The whole engagement event took about a minute or so, and at the end, the future groom stood up, the couple hugged and then kissed.
3-for-1 lunar spectacle rises tonight with Super Blue Sturgeon Moon
Moonrise is at 7:10 p.m. today, so find a good spot to observe this extra special lunar event. After all, how often do we have this good of weather in East Hawai‘i to see the sky from sea level? The moon will be in the full phase for about 3 days, however, so if you miss tonight’s super action, you do have a little more time.
UH astronomers uncover risks to planets that could host life
Findings suggest that powerful radiation — some12 times stronger than previously thought — could seriously impact a planet’s ability to sustain life.
Potential $85M from NASA for University of Hawai‘i management of Maunakea telescope
The telescope funding comes from the NASA Near-Earth Object Observations Program.
Rare ‘star’ predicted to blaze brightly in night sky will be visible to naked eye
The additional jewel in the Northern Crown constellation isn’t actually a star. It’s the light from an astronomical thermonuclear explosion caused by the buildup of pressure and heat in the binary system T Coronae Borealis, also dubbed the “Blaze Star,” 3,000 light-years away from Earth.
UH-led study finds anxiety, depression major problems in space science community
The authors found that symptoms appear greater among marginalized groups, such as women, people of color and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus community.
Satellite built by University of Hawai‘i students chosen for NASA launch
The student-led mission aims to study solar energetic particle events and increase knowledge of the Sun.
University of Hawai‘i astronomers part of NASA’s $19.5M artificial star mission
The artificial star satellite is expected to help answer questions surrounding the speed and acceleration of the universe’s expansion.
Maunakea: 1st telescope decommissioning complete
The decommissioning of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Hōkū Keʻa Observatory was completed in May.
‘Evil twin’ or not, newly discovered exoplanet will help get closer to answers about why life appeared on Earth
An international team of scientists, with the help of three observatories atop Mauna Kea on the Big Island, discovered the relatively close exoplanet dubbed Gliese 12 b in our galactic neighborhood.
Big Island woman captures footage of Aurora Borealis from Nā‘ālehu home
“It was a beautiful purple and greenish tinge visible to the naked eye for about 5 minutes,” Brenda Trowbridge shared on social media.