December 7, 2006:
Science on a Sphere Opens at 'Imiloa
'Imiloa Astronomy Center features the newest installation of Science on a Sphere (SOS), opening on December 7 with the premier showing of the new film, Footprints. Only ten SOS installations across the U.S. will offer this exhibit during its debut.
The Earth is not flat. That's the conceptual spark for Footprints, created at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Using the advanced media projection technology called Science On a Sphere developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Footprints is the first film of its kind.
The movie presents advanced satellite data and other visual effects on a dramatic spherical screen, affording viewers a chance to experience planets and planetary science in a way that's more natural to their actual appearance. The Earth guest stars in a variety of guises, from depictions of the biosphere to planetary views of city lights at night to dramatic examinations about the science of hurricane formation. Other moons and planets make exciting cameos too, with special presentations of Mars and Earth's moon.
SOS is a room-sized, global display system that uses computers and video projectors to display planetary data onto a six-foot-diameter sphere, creating a giant animated globe.
Researchers at NOAA developed Science On a Sphere® as an educational tool to help illustrate Earth System science to people of all ages. Animated images of atmospheric storms, climate change, and ocean temperature can be shown on the sphere, which is used to explain complex environmental processes in a way that is simultaneously intuitive and captivating.
Footprints will be shown several times a day at the SOS exhibit in 'Imiloa's Special Exhibit Hall. Check with the front desk for show times.
December 3, 2006: Ohana Discovery Day at 'Imiloa
Families are invited to participate in a fun-filled afternoon of astronomy on Sunday, December 3, 2006. This two-hour interactive program is designed to engage children ages eight and older and their parents or guardians in hands-on science activities and shared learning experiences.
"Planets: How Big? How Far? How Many?" will focus on the relative sizes of planets in our solar system, distances between their orbits, and the debate on Pluto's status as a planet. Using Play-Doh® and other materials, children will see how Earth compares to other planets. Richard Crowe, `Imiloa Astronomer-in-Residence and UH Hilo Professor of Physics and Astronomy, will also give a short talk illustrated with stunning images of each planet and the latest information about our solar system.
Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian; adults may also attend without children. The registration fee is $5 per family for `Imiloa members (each family member must show a membership ID card) and $10 per family for non-members. (This fee does not include admission to the exhibits or planetarium show.)
Reservations are required and space is limited! Purchase tickets in advance at `Imiloa Astronomy Center, or reserve your space by calling (808) 969-9711 or emailing to rsvp@imiloahawaii.org. Include your name, the event (Ohana Discovery Day), your telephone number, and the number of people in your family.
Ohana Discovery Day activities were developed by Astronomy From the Ground Up (AFGU), a National Science Foundation program dedicated to bringing new ways to communicate the excitement of modern astronomy to people around the world.
October, 2006: Big Island Stargazer: Reflections on Maunakea
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be an astronomer on the Big Island? Are you interested in the geology of Maunakea? Come meet other science lovers and listen to an interesting presentation and interactive discussion with Dr. Scott Fisher at `Imiloa Astronomy Center on Friday, October 20, 2006.
The program begins at 7:00 p.m., with a public level presentation about recent research carried out on Maunakea and the summit area itself. Since 1996, Dr. Fisher has used several of the telescopes on the summit to search for and study young planetary systems around nearby stars like Vega and the southern star Beta Pictoris.
He's also explored other aspects of Mauna Kea, such as the formation history and current geology of the mountain.
Next, Dr. Fisher will lead an informal 'round table' discussion with the audience, as he shares what it's like to work at one of the biggest observatories in the world. He'll also give an account of "A Day in the Life of a Modern Astronomer," explaining why astronomers must compete in a "publish or perish" world, and why you cannot look through the eyepiece on a telescope at Maunakea's summit.
Dr. Fisher was a Congressional Exchange Student in Germany and a NASA Graduate Student Research Fellow from 1997-2000. During his graduate-school days, Fisher also helped build an infrared camera (OSCIR) that traveled between Hawaii and Chile. In 2001, after graduating from the University of Florida with a PhD in Astronomy, Fisher was hired by Gemini Observatory as a mid-infrared (IR) astronomy expert. He now spends half his time in scientific work, and half in outreach to the public and science community.
Admission is free for `Imiloa members and $5 for non-members. Reservations are required and space is limited! To reserve your seat, sign up at `Imiloa's front desk, call (808) 969-9711, or send an email to rsvp@imiloahawaii.org. Include your name, the event (Big Island Stargazer), telephone number, and the number of people in your party. Reservations will be confirmed by phone or email.
September, 2006: Pluto Debate Continues at `Imiloa Astronomy Center
The public is invited to attend "Bye Bye Pluto: The Case of the Demoted Planet" at 'Imiloa Astronomy Center on Friday, September 29, 2006. This 90-minute program will feature six local researchers in a panel discussion about the recent International Astronomical Union (IAU) resolution to reclassify Pluto as a "dwarf" planet. The program begins at 7:00 p.m. with a short video clip from the BBC documentary titled "Bye Bye Planet Pluto," followed by a lively panel discussion, which will include arguments for and against the IAU decision. The panelists, who are known for their research on "dwarf" planets, small solar system bodies and extrasolar planets, are Jay Farihi and Inseok Song from Gemini Observatory, William Heacox from UH Hilo, David Jewitt and David Tholen from the Institute for Astronomy, and Michihiro Takami from Subaru Telescope. The panel moderator will be 'Imiloa Astronomer-in-Residence Richard Crowe. Master of ceremonies for the evening will be Gary Fujihara, Outreach Officer for the Institute for Astronomy.