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Amateur radio group meets Sunday
The Kona Amateur Radio Society meets from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the south end of Wawaloli Beach Park at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority. All members, friends and those interested in amateur (HAM) radio are invited.
A potluck barbecue with a Cajun food them in celebration of Mardi Gras will take place during the meeting and attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to share.
For more information, contact Van NH7IT at 345-5008.
Speaker to discuss massive stars
The Caltech Submillimeter Observatory has been studying the formation of stars by looking at proto-stars in the Cygnus X region, one of the richest known regions of star formation in the galaxy. Observations showed the rotation of the natal massive dense cold condensation and magnetic fields penetrating the area that play a key role in star formation. Dr. Hiroko Shinnaga will give a talk titled “A Nursery for Young Massive Stars” at Imiloa Astronomy Center’s Maunakea Skies talk at 7 p.m. Saturday. She will highlight the findings of this study and discuss how the long submillimeter wavelength helps scientists understand how young massive stars are born.
“The life of massive stars is very dramatic. They are born so massive, evolve quickly, then die young, and go out with a bang,” Shinnaga said. “These supernova blasts splash their ashes into space helping to kick-start the next generation of stars.”
Massive stars are rare compared to low or intermediate stars. They are the ones that regulate star formation in galaxies. The life of massive stars is still not understood, particularly at a very young age, because they are hidden deep within very thick cocoons of gas and dust, making direct observations difficult. Taking advantage of the long wavelength of submillimeter wave, astronomers can penetrate the thick cocoon and witness how such young massive stars are born within cold thick cocoons.
Shinnaga is a staff research scientist at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory, where she has worked since 2004. Immediately prior to that she worked at the Smithsonian-ASIAA Submillimeter Array for five years. She received her doctorate at Ibaraki University in Japan and moved to Hilo in 2001. She studies how stars are born and how stars end their lives mainly at submillimeter waves.
The presentation will be hosted by Peter Michaud of Gemini Observatory. After the guest speaker’s featured presentation, Michaud will provide observational highlights of the current night sky over Hawaii, pointing out prominent constellations and stars one can see this time of year.
The monthly Maunakea Skies planetarium presentations are held on the third Saturday of each month. Cost is $5 for individual, dual, kupuna and family members; $3 for patron members; and free for silver, gold and corporate members. Nonmember rate is $8. Prepurchase tickets at the Imiloa front desk or by phone at 969-9703.
Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii is located at 600 Imiloa Place in Hilo, off Komohana and Nowelo streets at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Science and Technology Park. For more information, visit imiloahawaii.org or call 969-9703.
Feral feline helpers meeting Saturday
AdvoCats meets at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Kona United Methodist Church on Palani Road. Upcoming clinics and the Kona stroll on Sunday will be on the agenda.
The Hawaii County- endorsed, nonprofit, trap-neuter-release organization is committed to solving the homeless cat problem in a humane way. More than 11,000 cats have been spayed or neutered since 1999.
Those attending are urged to bring ink cartridges for recycling. Help is also needed in feeding the cats.
The public is welcome to attend.
For more information, call 327-3724 or visit advocatshawaii.org.
Libraries observing Presidents Day
In observance of the Presidents Day holiday, all public libraries will be closed Saturday through Monday.
The Kealakekua Public Library (telephone: 323-7585) will be open on Thursday because of the holiday closure.
Visit librarieshawaii.org or call a local library for public service hours.