JCMT
June 20, 2022
Observations from the James Clerk Maxwell telescope and the Submillimeter Array, both located on Maunakea, contributed to the production of the first-ever image of the shadow of the black hole at the heart of the Milky Way galaxy, by the “Event Horizon Telescope”. This incredibly challenging observation builds on the more than 20-year history of studies of the Galactic Center […]
March 29, 2021
Two Maunakea telescopes, the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT), and the Submillimeter Array (SMA), have once again combined efforts with the global “Event Horizon Telescope” network to produce a view of Pōwehi, the Black Hole at the Center of the galaxy M87. The new results show the black hole in new light – specifically, polarized light. This enables astronomers, for […]
September 25, 2020
In April 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope produced the first-ever image of a black hole. The object, located in the center of the galaxy M87, was given the Hawai`ian name of Pōwehi. Its image appeared as a ring with a bright crescent edge, produced by photons orbiting around the black hole. To make these images, this unique telescope uses a […]
September 14, 2020
JCMT finds hints of life on Venus Press Release The Science Explained FAQs An international team of researchers using the JCMT in Hawaii have discovered the biomarker phosphine in the cloud of Venus. Follow up observations from ALMA confirmed the detection of phosphine in the mid-latitude cloud decks on Venus, where pressures and temperatures are more conducive to life on […]
August 13, 2020
The James Clerk Maxwell Telescope on Maunakea has given us a unique look at the early stages of star formation. An international team of astronomers performed a survey observing over 3,500 sites within our Milky Way galaxy, known as dense cores, where stars are believed to be on the cusp of formation. They locate the exact sites of near-future star […]
August 6, 2020
Astronomers have discovered gigantic star-spots on the red supergiant star Betelgeuse, using the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope on Maunakea. Beginning in October 2019, Betelgeuse, which is the nearest red supergiant star to the Earth at a distance of only 500 light years, experienced a record-breaking dimming event, becoming three times fainter than usual. This dimming episode was thought to possibly […]