The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Institute for Astronomy will hold its annual open house, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 10. It returns after a two-year break due to COVID-19.

What You Need To Know

  • The Institute for Astronomy’s open house is scheduled for 11 a.m.-4 p.m. April 10 at IfA headquarters at 2680 Woodlawn Drive

  • It provides the IfA the opportunity to connect with the community through astronomer presentations, activities for all ages and more

  • The event falls on Powehi Day, a day honoring the first-ever image of a black hole captured by telescopes, including those atop Maunakea

The day-long event includes hands-on activities, demonstrations and short talks. Sundial making, bottle-rocket launching, a digital planetarium, space-themed Lego creations and makahiki games will be set up for keiki. “Older” participants can test drive robots and rovers, walk through a scale model of the solar system and “Ask an Astronomer.” Special telescopes will allow observations of the sun and IfA astronomers will give brief presentations throughout the day.

“We look forward to helping inspire keiki to get excited about science,” said Doug Simons, IfA director, in a release. “The open house gives IfA the opportunity to directly connect with the community, and highlight the world-class research and education program at work right here in the islands.”

Coincidentally, the open house falls on Powehi Day, a day honoring the first-ever image of a black hole captured by telescopes, including those atop Maunakea. Gov. David Ige made the proclamation in 2019.

The supermassive black hole, Powehi, means, “embellished dark source of unending creation at the center,” and comes from the Kumulipo, the chant that describes the creation of the Hawaiian universe. Larry Kimura, UH Hilo Hawaiian language professor, selected the name.

Guest organizations will include the Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory and Hawaii Space Grant Consortium. There will also be displays by W.M. Keck Observatory, Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, TMT, Bishop Museum, Hawaii Lego Users Group, National Solar Observatory, Hawaiian Astronomical Society and the Hawaii Science and Technology Museum.

The open house takes place at IfA headquarters at 2680 Woodlawn Drive. Admission and parking will be free.