Maunakea Skies Talk

Third Saturday of each month at 7:00 pm



Show format 


"Maunakea Skies" begins with the traditional tour of the night sky featuring stars, constellations and planets visible with the unaided eye. Following this a special guest presenter from one of the Maunakea observatories will share the latest research in astronomy using the 3D planetarium technology to "fly out" and explore these discoveries. Imagine traveling to planets, zipping through star clusters and nebulae, and exploring galaxies far beyond our own— all in true 3D stereo!

Maunakea Skies Hosts

Richard Crowe obtained his PhD from the University of Toronto. He's worked at several observatories in the US, Canada and Chile, and was a Resident Astronomer for the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. He joined the University of Hawaii-Hilo faculty in 1987. Richard also heads the New Opportunities through Minority Initiatives in Space Science (NOMISS) program, funded by NASA.

Shawn Laatsch has worked in the planetarium field for more than 25 years and has a passionate interest in cultural and modern astronomy. Shawn has taught astronomy classes, led a school outreach programs, and created numerous planetarium programs. Previously, Shawn directed planetariums in Kentucky and North Carolina. He currently serves as an executive officer of the International Planetarium Society.

Peter Michaud is the public information officer for Gemini Observatories on the Big Island. He's a former planetarium producer and manager at the Bishop Planetarium in Honolulu, where he wrote and produced more than 20 planetarium shows. He has also taught astronomy in Virginia high school programs, created many educational programs and curricula, and led eclipse expeditions to Maunakea and Chile.