Take a pictorial journey of Gemini’s laser guide at Imiloa Astronomy Center’s next Maunakea Skies talk at 7 p.m. March 17.
Take a pictorial journey of Gemini’s laser guide at Imiloa Astronomy Center’s next Maunakea Skies talk at 7 p.m. March 17.
Learn how Joy Pollard, Gemini Observatory, has captured the beauty of the Gemini Observatory’s laser guide star technology in stunning photos and in time-lapse movies of the night sky over Mauna Kea. This same technology is allowing astronomers to see the universe in unprecedented detail and obtain remarkably striking images of the cosmos.
Pollard will share the techniques she uses to create time-lapse movies of the night sky and experience the full-dome immersion of her images taken with state-of-the-art digital cameras with super-wide-angle fish-eye lenses. Her images will put you on the mountain without the discomfort of freezing temperatures and thin air that she endures to obtain them.
Audience members will be given a print of one of Pollard’s images after the talk.
Peter Michaud, Gemini’s public information and outreach manager, will add details about the unique technology of laser guide stars and how they are used to obtain images of the sky that are even more detailed than those from the Hubble Space Telescope. It’s a technology that is revolutionizing astronomy from the ground and making Mauna Kea even more important to humanity’s understanding of the universe.
March 17th’s Maunakea Skies will be hosted by Dr. Richard Crowe, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at UH Hilo. After the guest speaker’s featured presentation, Dr. Crowe will provide observational highlights of the current night sky over Hawaii, pointing out prominent constellations and stars one can see during 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. The cost is $8 for nonmembers. Tickets are available for prepurchase at the Imiloa front desk or by calling 969-9703.
Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii is located at 600 Imiloa Place in Hilo, off Komohana and Nowelo Streets at the UH Hilo Science and Technology Park. For more information, go to imiloahawaii.org or call 969-9703.