Astronomy

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.

Hawaiian language students name new astronomy instrument on Mauna Kea

The instrument’s name, Wenaokeao, means “earliest glow of light” and was given after extensive research by high school haumāna, or students.

Caltech Submillimeter Observatory decommissioning to restart

The next steps in the decommissioning include completing interior deconstruction and removal of the observatory dome.

Removal of second Mauna Kea telescope to begin this month

The decommissioning includes removing the observatory building, generator building and telecommunications and electrical infrastructure.

Astronomers discover ancient star system orbiting around Milky Way using telescopes atop Mauna Kea

This system consists of just 60 stars that are over 10 billion years old, all bound by their own gravity and maybe even dark matter, according to a press release from the W.M. Keck Observatory.

Astronomers detect star being torn apart by a supermassive black hole

Using the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) system, on Feb. 22, 2023, the team detected a sudden surge in brightness followed by a rapid dimming in the galaxy NGC 3799, located about 160 million light-years from Earth.

2nd Maunakea telescope decommissioning to begin

Hōkū Keʻa is the second telescope on Maunakea in the final phase of the extensive decommissioning process required under the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan.

Hilo’s own Devin Chu helping discover the secrets of the universe as an astronomer

The 32-year-old postdoctoral researcher and astrophysicist from the Big Island is peering deep into space while helping develop next-generation technology to deliver even sharper images of the universe.

Journey Through the Universe returns for 20th year to inspire Big Island students

The weeklong education and outreach program is aimed at expanding science literacy and inspiring students in grades 3-12 to explore the fields of science, technology, engineering and math through classroom presentations, career panels, public events and more.

UH launching space tech development center, student-training hub

The Space Sciences Initiative is expected to expand Hawaiʻi’s technology sector and create more high-paying jobs across the state.

Peak of Quadrantids meteor shower tonight means cosmic fireworks for Hawaiian Islands

The annual meteor shower that happens from the end of December to the middle of January peaks tonight, with up to 120 bright fireball meteors possible streaking through the center of the sky.

Telescope removed from Caltech Submillimeter Observatory atop Maunakea; decommissioning paused until spring

The Caltech Submillimeter Observatory came online in 1987 and was used by scientists at Caltech and other institutions, including almost 200 student and postdoctoral researchers.

Physics behind unusual behavior of stars’ super flares discovered

While solar flares can be powerful, they are insignificant compared to the thousands of “super flares” observed by NASA’s Kepler and TESS missions.
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