Sponsored by
Associated Universities Inc. and The American Astronomical Society

Tuesday, 7 January 2020

11:30 am - 2:00 pm

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Hawai'i Convention Center
1801 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI

Students will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on demonstrations and speak with world famous scientists and engineers at the forefront of astronomy research. Students will gain knowledge of blackholes, pulsars, ultraviolet light, space telescopes, search for exoplanets, ground based radio telescopes, construction of mirrors, learning astronomy in universities and so much more! They will leave with a desire to pursue their interests and the resources to make it happen. Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity to meet with scientists from NASA, National Science Foundation, national observatories, prestigious universities, acclaimed laboratories and companies on the cutting edge of discovery.

The event is appropriate for students in 6th-12th grades and Junior College. More information is available in the FAQ.

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The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) in the United Kingdom encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics, and closely related branches of science. Founded in 1820, the RAS is kicking off its bicentennial celebration with two events to be held during our meeting at the Bishop Museum planetarium, about a 20-minute drive from the convention center. On Saturday evening, 4 January, meeting attendees and the general public are invited to a special planetarium show, The Planets 360 (admission fee: $10). Weather permitting, members of the Hawai‘ian Astronomical Society will set up some telescopes on the museum's observation deck too. Then, on Tuesday evening, 7 January, the RAS will host a bicentennial reception for RAS Fellows, AAS Officers and Trustees, and as many other AAS members as they can accommodate (first come, first served). Following the reception, there will be another screening of The Planets 360 on the dome.

The Planets 360 is a re-imagining of British composer Gustav Holst's The Planets suite. It uses the awe-inspiring Fulldome format to create a sonically driven immersive experience. The show aims to bring new audiences to the planetarium by fusing art, music, and science into a 360° spectacle. The classic version of the show uses Holst's original music, making use of stunning spacecraft images of the planets imagined by the composer. Inspired graphics and captivating newly commissioned scores give a fresh spin on our understanding of our solar system neighbors. The Planets 360 is a project by NSC Creative, supported by the RAS's anniversary £1 million RAS200 funding scheme, designed to bring astronomy and related sciences to people not usually engaged with them.

Sunday: 5 January

FREE Public Stargazing Party at Ala Moana Park

On Sunday evening, 5 January, 7:00-9:00pm (park cleared by 10:00pm), join University of Hawai‘i astronomer Roy Gal and friends at Ala Moana Park, a short walk from the convention center, for a star party featuring telescopic views of celestial highlights of the Hawai‘ian winter sky. This stargazing party will bring together astronomy enthusiasts of all ages and levels to marvel at the night sky and learn from world renowned experts in their field. Take your time to view through the myriad of telescopes that will be setup at the park. Join in lively conversations with editors and writers from Sky and Telecope Magazine, the sponsors of this event.

Presented by

Larry Kimura, Associate Professor, Hawaiian Language & Hawaiian Studies and
Doug Simons, Executive Director, Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope

Sponsored by
Associated of Universities for Research in Astronomy & The American Astronomical Society

Monday, 6 January 2020

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Hawai'i Convention Center
1801 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI

This is event is FREE to members of the public. Please Sign up to reserve your spot.

Join us for a special evening presentation by Larry Kimura, Associate Professor, Hawaiian Language & Hawaiian Studies and Doug Simons, Executive Director, Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope on studies done on the first 11 lines of the Kumulipo, incorporating astronomy theories on the origins of the Universe.

The prelude to the kumulipo, a ~2000 line Hawaiian creation chant, describes the formation of the universe and precedes an extensive description in the chant of the evolution of life forms on earth, through the establishment of the first humans. The kumulipo has been translated several times but Dr. Larry Kimura’s unpublished translation of this chant’s prelude provides remarkable insights into ancient perspectives, some of which appear both counterintuitive and prescient. The term pō appears over 100 times in the chant and is clearly an important element in the Hawaiian creation story. Understanding pō, a vast region of dark empty space from which everything emerged long ago, is essential to understanding Hawaiian cosmology. Though we will never know the original meaning of pō with complete certainty, studying its many forms in the kumulipo through the lens of modern astrophysics leads to a deeper understanding of worldviews and knowledge systems. This also leads to important lessons from nature that transcend generations and help provide context for approaching some of the complex challenges we face.

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