More than 1,500 attend 22nd Annual AstroDay in Hilo

The force was strong with thrilling scientific exploration and community engagement at the 22nd Annual AstroDay in Hilo, Hawaiʻi. The free science and astronomy event took place on May 4, 2024 at Prince Kūhiō Plaza, playing into the beloved Star Wars theme of “May the Fourth Be With You.” 

More than 1,500 keiki and families participated in science demonstrations, astronomy activities, games, and giveaways throughout the day. The event was sponsored by Maunakea Observatories and coordinated by the University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy. Dozens of volunteers from observatories, local science centers, museums, schools, and non-profit organizations from Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, and Oʻahu participated.

“It was amazing to see the incredible turnout for this year’s AstroDay, with so many families taking part in the fun,” said Carolyn Kaichi, event coordinator for the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy.

A special highlight of every AstroDay is the Maunakea Coin Contest award ceremony. The contest is an annual graphic design competition open to all Hawaiʻi Island students in grades K-12. From hundreds of entries, one lucky student’s design is chosen to be the design for the coming year’s collectors coin, and several other prizes are awarded to notable student art submissions. Congratulations to Megan Pierpont, winner of the 2024 Maunakea Coin Contest! Megan is a tenth grade student at Kaʻū High School, and her design will be featured on the next edition of the Maunakea collector’s coin.

Mahalo to all of the participating organizations who made AstroDay 2024 one to remember: UH Institute for Astronomy; Canada France Hawaii Telescope; Daniel K Inouye Solar Telescope; Submillimeter Array; Gemini Observatory; WM Keck Observatory; Las Cumbres Observatory; PISCES; Subaru Observatory; Thirty Meter Telescope; Maunakea Visitor Information Station; Project PANOPTES; Hawaii Science & Technology Museum; UH Hawaii Space Flight Lab; Onizuka Space Science Program; UH Hilo Physics and Astronomy Dept.; Shadow the Scientist Program from UCSC; Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library; Hilo Viking Robotics; Waiakea HS “Hot Rocks”; Waiakea HS Key Club; International Lunar Observatory Association; STARBASE Hawaii; Pacific Tsunami Museum; Ho‘ala Program; Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes (UH-Hilo).