Behind every astronomical discovery are the stories and experiences of the people who made it possible. Explore the latest from across the Maunakea Observatories.
STORIES
Kamaʻāina Observatory Experience Returns
The Kamaʻāina Observatory Experience (KOE) is a free tour program offering Hawai‘i residents the opportunity to visit world-class telescopes at the summit of Maunakea on Hawai‘i Island. This monthly program invites participants to learn about the scientific, cultural, and environmental importance of the mauna and then allows them to actually visit the inside of one of the telescopes atop Maunakea.
Journey Through the Universe Inspires Students with Science from Maunakea and Beyond
During the first week of February, NOIRLab’s Journey Through the Universe returned for its 21st consecutive year! Journey Through the Universe, or Journey, is a weeklong educational program that aims to inspire Hawaiʻi’s students to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Throughout the week, volunteer educators visited 2nd through 12th-grade Hilo-Waiākea classrooms to take students on an educational journey full of hands-on experiences.
The 2024 Maunakea Wonders Teacher Workshop
Since 2017, the Maunakea Wonders Teacher Workshop has connected 126 local Masters of Arts in Teaching students at UH Hilo to the observatory and educational resources. This year, 15 students participated in this two-day event hosted by the East Asian Observatory.
2024 Waimea Solar System Walk & 45th Anniversary of Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope
On October 26, the Maunakea Observatories hosted its 2024 Waimea Solar System Walk in Waimea Town on Hawai‘i Island. This free, family-friendly event took participants on an engaging journey through the solar system, beginning at the W. M. Keck Observatory headquarters and concluding at the Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope (CFHT) offices.
Mary Beth Laychak Wins 2024 ATHENA Leadership Award
In recognition of her unwavering commitment to educating the next generation of astronomers, Mary Beth Laychak has been honored with the 2024 ATHENA Leadership Award. Mary Beth is the Director of Communications and Community Engagement at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope and leads several programs within the Maunakea Observatories community.
More than 1,500 attend 22nd Annual AstroDay in Hilo
AstroDay 2024 transformed Hilo’s Prince Kūhiō Plaza into a galaxy far, far away! Falling on May 4, 2024, this year’s free science and astronomy event paid special tribute to the Star Wars theme of “May the Fourth Be With You,” and welcomed more than 1,500 keiki and families for a day of scientific activities, games, and giveaways.
Journey Program Hilo Finishes its 20th Year
Journey Through the Universe in Hilo marked its 20th anniversary, wrapping up on Feb. 9, 2024, amid a 5.7 magnitude earthquake. Throughout Journey Week (Feb. 5 - 9), volunteers engaged over 4,000 students in Hilo-Waiākea public schools with astronomy and STEM presentations tailored to teacher requests, highlighting careers in science and technology, including community events like a reception, lecture, stargazing, and a movie screening.