Hawai’i Island Events Focus on Galaxy Center and Astro Education

‘The Monster at the Heart of our Galaxy’ astronomy talk by UCLA Galactic Center Group Director Andrea Ghez is set for July 27 at Honoka’a People’s Theatre with support from the Rob and Terry Ryan Foundation and W. M. Keck Observatory. Ghez will discuss latest research and unexpected results from these ‘gigantic cosmic monsters’ including the presence of young stars, a lack of old stars, and G-objects. Recent advanced galaxy center observation is highlighted by South African Radio Astronomy Observatory 64-dish MeerKAT radio telescope imaging 1,000 x 500 light year area of the Milky Way center, and the Event Horizon Telescope project nearing completion of the 1st image of Sagittarius A* by combining data from 30+ ground stations. Also on Hawaii, UH Hilo 4th annual Software System for Astronomy course is being taught by Prof. Albert Conrad (BR) July 23 – Aug 3 focusing on telescope and instrument control systems, observation planning tools and data analysis software. The Robotic Telescopes, Student Research and Education conference (RTSRE) on July 23-25 is being held in conjunction with interNational Astronomy Teach Summit (iNATS) July 25-27 at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel (BL). The conferences will allow for international astronomers, educators, observatory / telescope developers and managers to integrate resources, and enhance education programs and collaborations. The iNATS will provide networking opportunities for educators and professionals to enchance teaching strategies. (Image Credits: Rob & Terry Ryan Foundation, WMKO, UCLA, Univ. of Illinois / NCSA, SARAO, SKA, NASA, UH Hilo, RTSRE & iNATS, et al)

MONDAY

ISU Space Studies Program Emphasizes Fundamentals of Space Science, Technology, Cooperation

The Netherlands Space Office and ESA are hosting International Space University (ISU) 31st Annual Space Studies Program June 25-August 24 at Delft University of Technology in Noordwijk, Netherlands. The program has 136 students from 34 countries. The 9-week event will include over 200 lecturers and guest experts, 57 fundamental workshops with hands on activities and experiments, a model rocket launch, a robotics competition, and cultural appreciation events. In addition, an astronaut panel featured (L-R) Nicole Stott, Paolo Nespoli, André Kuipers, and So-Yeon Yi. Over 100 classroom lecture sessions will include subtopics from various space departments in applications, engineering, law and policy, economics, human performance, management, and business. Team projects will focus on climate change, space debris removal, lunar nights survival, and smallsat system weather forecasting with final presentations to be given August 23. ISU faculty member John Logsdon is set to give a public talk focusing on the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 mission and the importance of current plans to resume space exploration. Astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman will discuss the Hubble Telescope and how he repaired the instrument in space. Former NASA Ames Research Center Director Simon “Pete” Worden is scheduled to speak about Breakthrough Starshot. The ISU SSP 2019 program will take place in Strasbourg, France with plans of a 2020 program in Shenzhen, China. (Image Credits: NASA, Nicole Stott, ESA, KARI, Planetary Society, National Geographic, ISU, Breakthrough Starshot Initiative)

Jul 23 —

Jul 23-25 — Las Cumbres Observatory, Skynet Robotic Telescope Network, PlaneWave Instruments, et al, Hilo HI: Robotic Telescopes, Student Research and Education Conference (RTSRE); at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

Jul 23-26 — American Astronautical Society, NASA, Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), San Francisco CA: 2018 International Space Station Research & Development Conference: Pioneering New Frontiers; with keynote speakers Astronaut Randy Bresnik, Astronaut Mark Vande Hei, Adam Savage.

Jul 23-26 — Applied Technology Institute, Columbia MD: Rockets & Launch Vehicles: Selection & Design; instructors Edward Keith and Daniel Moser.

Jul 23-27 — NASA Exoplanet Science Institute at California Institute of Technology, Pasadena CA: 2018 Sagan Exoplanet Summer Workshop: Did I Really Just Find an Exoplanet?

Jul 23-27 — University of Texas at Austin, Austin TX: 21st European White Dwarf Workshop.

Jul 23 – Aug 3 — University of Hawai’i at Hilo, Hilo HI: 4th annual Software Systems for Astronomy; two-week intensive class offered by Professor Albert Conrad.

Jul 23 — Lahaina Noon: As the Sun passes through the Zenith, directly overhead tropic locations, vertical objects cast no shadows; Lahaina means ‘cruel sun’; Volcanoes National park 12:27, Kamuela at 12:29, Waikoloa Resort 12:30; on July 24 Hilo 12:27, Mauna Kea Summit 12:28, Kailua-Kona 12:30.

Jul 23 — Apollo Asteroid 2018 ME5: Near-Earth Flyby (0.097 AU)

Continued from…

Jul 8 – Oct 9 — NAOC, National Aquatic Center “Water Cube”, Beijing, China: Lunar Exploration Technology Exhibition featuring 10-meter diameter Moon, lunar imagery, ‘moonlight’ and surround sound composition.