Research that began with a University of Hawaiʻi telescope is now leading to a historic milestone in space exploration. This month, China’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft is expected to begin its encounter with Kamoʻoalewa, a small near-Earth asteroid discovered by astronomers at the 东精影业 (IfA) on Haleakal膩 and the first Hawaiian-named object ever visited by a spacecraft.

The mission connects years of IfA-led research with an international effort to better understand the object, which scientists believe may be a fragment of the Moon. Kamoʻoalewa was first detected in 2016 by the IfA-operated atop Haleakal膩.

“This is a remarkable moment for planetary science,” said Doug Simons, director of IfA. “A target first identified through observations from Hawaiʻi is now being visited by a spacecraft, opening the door to discoveries that simply cannot be made from Earth alone. The mission has the potential to reveal how Kamoʻoalewa formed and whether it truly originated from the Moon.”

In 2021, a team led by 东精影业 researchers published findings suggesting Kamoʻoalewa may have come from the Moon. Tianwen-2 is expected to arrive at the asteroid before mid June 2026. The spacecraft will study the object up close as part of a mission that aims to collect samples and return them to Earth.

Inspired by Kumulipo

In 2019, the asteroid received its Hawaiian name through A Hua He Inoa, a program based at the 东精影业 Hilo where Hawaiian speaking students and educators work with Hawaiʻi-based astronomers to create names in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) for objects discovered by Hawaiʻi-based observatories. The initiative is a collaboration among ʻImiloa, 东精影业 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 , IfA and community members.

In ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, Kamoʻoalewa alludes to a celestial object that is oscillating, like its path in the sky as viewed from the Earth. It is a name found in the Hawaiian chant Kumulipo.

“To see a spacecraft travel to an object carrying a Hawaiian name is a reminder that careful observation of the natural world and the pursuit of knowledge have always been central to 驶ike Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian knowledge),” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director of ʻImiloa Astronomy Center. “The students who proposed the name Kamoʻoalewa thoughtfully considered the possibility that this object was a moʻo—an offspring traveling in orbit within our solar system. It is remarkable to see emerging scientific theory lend support to the insight embodied in their naming. This moment highlights the enduring relevance of Hawaiian ways of knowing as we continue to explore and deepen our understanding of the universe.”

As Tianwen-2 approaches its destination, the mission also shines a light on 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 continued role in planetary exploration. Hawaiʻi observatories help discover, track and study asteroids, comets and other objects moving through the solar system.

A University of Hawaiʻi (IfA) alumnus has been recognized for helping tackle one of the biggest mysteries in modern astronomy.

Gagandeep Anand, a senior staff scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute, was named the 2026 Outstanding Young Scientist (OYS) by the Maryland Science Center during its annual STEM awards ceremony on April 29. The award honors rising professionals making major contributions in science, education and research.

Examining a Hubble mystery

Anand earned both his master’s degree and PhD in astronomy from IfA. He studies nearby galaxies to better understand how the universe has evolved throughout time. Much of his work focuses on the “Hubble tension,” an ongoing scientific mystery involving conflicting measurements of how fast the universe is expanding.

Doug Simons, director of IfA, said Anand’s achievement reflects the institute’s broader mission.

“Gagandeep’s recognition speaks directly to the mission of the Institute for Astronomy, to advance world-leading research while training the next generation of scientists,” Simons said. “We are proud to see one of our alumni making important contributions to understanding the universe.”

Honoring emerging STEM leaders

The OYS award honors academic professionals age 35 or younger. Honorees are selected by members of the Maryland Science Center’s Scientific and Education Advisory Council.

“The Maryland Science Center inspires curiosity and exploration, and shares the process and joys of the scientific process,” said Mark J. Potter, president and CEO of the Maryland Science Center. “Anand is well deserving of this prestigious award and serves as a role model for others pursuing work, education, and careers in science.”

Astronomers from the University of Hawaiʻi (IfA) and engineers from Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) atop Haleakalā helped make a 14-year-old Idaho boy鈥檚 dream come true during a special visit to Maui鈥檚 majestic summit.

“Visiting the telescope was amazing鈥攊t was a once in a lifetime experience,” said Ethan, who traveled to Hawaiʻi through Make-A-Wish Idaho with support from Make-A-Wish Hawaii after overcoming a serious blood disorder. “It was so cool to see how bright the stars were at the top of the mountain and to see how big space really is.”

Ethan recently celebrated one year post-treatment after enduring a lengthy diagnosis period, a 49-day hospital stay, chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. His wish was to visit observatories and see the telescopes atop Haleakalā up close.

Stargazing journey

His love for astronomy started while watching videos about black holes. During treatment, his grandparents gave him a telescope so he could stargaze from his hospital window. On the final day of treatment, Ethan celebrated by using the telescope from the hospital roof.

IfA astronomer J.D. Armstrong, who oversees 东精影业鈥檚 outreach program mentoring Hawaiʻi students in astronomy, escorted Ethan and his family to the summit alongside Mark Elphick and Tyler Nakagawa from LCO on Haleakalā.

Haleakalā visit

The family first toured IfA Maui before heading up Haleakalā, where Ethan and his family visited the LCO facility. They used the eyepiece on the LCO 2-meter Faulkes Telescope North to look at distant astronomical objects and helped program observations using other telescopes in the LCO network. During the visit, the family also viewed a twin quasar located 8.7 billion light years away. A quasar is an extremely bright object powered by a giant black hole at the center of a galaxy.

“It was really great to do something like this,” Armstrong said. “I get to share the summit with a family that appreciates it as much as I do.”

Ethan鈥檚 mother, Autumn, said the trip meant everything.

“As a parent, watching your child go from sick and uninterested in a lot to thriving and learning and excited about life and new things is priceless.”

Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish Hawaii assisted Make-A-Wish Idaho in granting Ethan鈥檚 wish. All wishes to visit Hawaiʻi are funded by the child鈥檚 home chapter. All funds raised in Hawaiʻi support local wish keiki.

The University of Hawaiʻi welcomed about 50 international diplomats to Maunakea and the 东精影业 Hilo for a firsthand look at the university鈥檚 leading role in world-class astronomy, scientific discoveries and cultural stewardship that have helped make Hawaiʻi a global center for space research.

The visit, coordinated through the U.S. Department of Defense鈥檚 annual Defense Attach茅 Orientation Program, brought diplomats to Maunakea where they learned how 东精影业 researchers and international partners are helping drive some of the world鈥檚 most important astronomical discoveries, from distant exoplanets and mysterious brown dwarfs to black holes, advanced robotic optics technology and some of the farthest known objects in the universe.

“Maunakea has become a model for how nations can work together in the pursuit of knowledge,” said Doug Simons, director of the 东精影业 . “The discoveries made here belong to all humanity.”

Summit science, stewardship

Atop the summit of Maunakea, teams from the such as W. M. Keck Observatory, Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope, Subaru Telescope and 东精影业鈥檚 NASA Infrared Telescope Facility guided diplomats through observatory facilities. Hawaiʻi astronomy consistently ranks number one in the world in science impact and output.

At Halep艒haku, located within Maunakea鈥檚 mid-level elevation, the group was welcomed with oli (chant) and cultural protocol led by staff from the 东精影业 Hilo (CMS). The welcome offered diplomats an introduction to the cultural significance of the mauna (mountain) before continuing their visit.

Staff also shared the mountain鈥檚 environmental and cultural significance, restoration projects and ongoing stewardship work. Diplomats learned about 东精影业鈥檚 continued efforts to responsibly decommission telescopes as part of its long-term stewardship commitments.

“Our responsibility is to care for this mauna thoughtfully and respectfully,” said Greg Chun, executive director of CMS. “Stewardship guides every part of the work happening on Maunakea, from protecting natural and cultural resources to supporting world-class science.”

Cultural connections

The visit also included a stop at ʻImiloa, where diplomats were welcomed with Hawaiian chant and lei. Staff and students led them through an engaging exploration of Polynesian wayfinding and navigation. Hands-on activities including traditional knot tying and an exploration of Hawaiian canoe, or waʻa.

For many in the group, it was their first encounter with the tradition of Polynesian navigation and the recognition of Hawaiians as among the world’s early astronomers, a story that clearly resonated as guests lingered over exhibits and engaged in lively conversation with staff.

“This is a place where Hawaiʻi’s culture and international scientific perspectives come together in ways that deepen and strengthen one another,” said Kaʻiu Kimura, executive director of 东精影业 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 ʻImiloa Center. “We wanted our guests to understand the profound cultural significance of Maunakea and the shared responsibility that comes with caring for a place of such importance.”

Faculty, staff and students from the University of Hawaiʻi Institute for Astronomy helped power AstroDay 2026, the Maunakea Observatories鈥檚 24th annual free community science festival held May 2 at Prince K奴hi艒 Plaza in Hilo. More than 30 organizations came together to offer hands-on astronomy, robotics and live science activities for Hawaiʻi Island families.

“AstroDay is one of my favorite days of the year because it belongs to everyone. This is our chance to bring world-class science into the heart of our community and inspire the next generation of scientists, explorers, and dreamers,” said Carolyn Kaichi, education and outreach specialist at IfA. “We do this especially for the keiki who may one day carry that legacy forward. Mahalo to every family on the island that came out to join us.”

东精影业ees packed the mid-mall stage for live science shows and award presentations, then made their way booth to booth collecting AstroDay coins for a shot at prizes like telescopes and skateboards.

A major draw was the return of the “Robot Rumble,” presented by the Hawaiʻi Science and Technology Museum, where 15 teams from across Hawaiʻi Island faced off in head-to-head matches. Local high schools also showcased their own robotics projects, highlighting the island鈥檚 growing pipeline of STEM talent.

The event also marked the announcement of the 2026 Maunakea Coin Contest winners. The statewide graphic design competition invites Hawaiʻi Island students in grades K–12 to compete for prizes and the chance to have their artwork featured on official AstroDay collector coins.

Astronomers at the University of Hawaiʻi have precisely measured the age of a nearby Sun-like star and its unusual companion, known as a brown dwarf, an object that falls between a planet and a star. The discovery offers new clues into how brown dwarfs grow and change over time.

Using the on Maunakea, the team from the 东精影业 (IfA) studied the HR 7672 system, composed of a Sun-like star and a faint brown dwarf companion. With an instrument called the Keck Planet Finder, they tracked tiny five-minute pulsationss in the star鈥檚 light and used them to estimate its age to be about 2.3 billion years. The study has been recently published in .

Because the brown dwarf formed at the same time as the star, the star鈥檚 age also reveals the companion鈥檚 age, giving researchers a rare chance to check if their models of how brown dwarfs cool throughout time are correct.

“This is like finally having a reliable clock for an object we鈥檝e been trying to understand for years,” said IfA Parrent Fellow Yaguang Li, who led the study. “It really helps us place evolutionary models under stringent tests and determine which physical ingredients are correct.”

Shaping discovery

For more than two decades, the HR 7672 system has helped shape how astronomers study brown dwarfs. Its companion, HR 7672B, was discovered in 2002 and was one of the first brown dwarfs ever directly imaged around a Sun-like star using adaptive optics (AO), a technology that sharpens images blurred by Earth鈥檚 atmosphere. Those early observations helped reveal how rare brown dwarfs are around Sun-like stars at close orbital distances.

Brown dwarfs do not sustain the same energy-producing reactions as stars. Instead, they slowly cool and fade over time. But testing how that happens has been difficult, in part because scientists rarely know their exact ages.

With this new measurement, paired with what is already known about the object鈥檚 energy output and mass, HR 7672B now stands out as a key reference point. The team compared their findings with several models and found the closest match with newer theories that better describe what鈥檚 happening inside these objects.

Full circle

The work highlights the long impact of the at IfA. More than 20 years ago, then-fellow Michael Liu discovered HR 7672B using Keck AO. Today, Li, the current Parrent Fellow, is building on that work with this new high-precision age-dating of the same system.

“HR 7672B was one of the first discoveries I made as a Parrent Fellow when I came to 东精影业,” said Liu, IfA faculty member and co-author of the study. “It鈥檚 exciting to see new work from another Parrent Fellow make this object even more valuable for understanding how brown dwarfs evolve.”

Astronomers using the have taken a major step in understanding the distant planet Uranus. By combining data from Keck Observatory with the Hubble Space Telescope and James Webb Space Telescope, researchers created the first complete picture of how light reflects off Uranus鈥檚 faint outer rings.

The results reveal two very different stories. One ring appears to be made of tiny grains of water ice, likely chipped off a small moon. The other is darker and rocky, mixed with carbon-rich material. Together, they show how collisions and impacts continue to shape the planet鈥檚 ring system.

The findings offer new clues about how planets and their moons form and change throughout time.

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At the University of Hawaiʻi , an outreach program is helping high school students step into scientific research early.

HI STAR, short for Hawaiʻi Student/Teacher Astronomy Research, connects students with mentors and real astronomical data. The program鈥檚 impact was on display at the recent Maui County Science and Engineering Fair, where HI STAR participants earned top honors.

First place

Emma Agcolicol, a 16-year-old sophomore at Baldwin High School, earned first place in the Physics and Astronomy category, Senior Division.

Agcolicol and her partner studied an unconfirmed exoplanet known as TOI-6055.01. Using data from the , they applied the transit method to track the potential planet.

“Whether it is detection or Doppler shifts, I find it fascinating that there鈥檚 so many different planets with their own unique characteristics,” Agcolicol said.

Agcolicol has participated in HI STAR for three years. She said the program helped her connect with researchers and explore different areas of astronomy.

“I enjoy getting to meet many different researchers that have the same levels of excitement鈥� I鈥檝e even worked with a few of HI STAR teachers on different projects, so that was amazing,” she said.

She will advance to the state science fair.

Student awards

Other HI STAR students also received recognition:

• James Anchetta, third place, Physics and Astronomy (Senior Division); coronal rain research
• Alexandra “Lexi” Lombardi, second place, Physics and Astronomy (Senior Division) and NASA Earth Systems Award; comet and asteroid research
• Chelsey Miguel, first place, Translational Medical Services (Senior Division) and Regeneron Biomedical Award

All will advance to the state competition.

Lasting impact

HI STAR alumni have gone on to careers as meteorologists, data analysts and engineering assistants. Others are pursuing degrees in astrophysics. One former student now serves as a White House senior communications advisor.

The program is led by mentors Armstrong, Carolyn Kaichi, Jung Park and Mike Nassir, who guide students through hands-on research and exposure to careers in science.

An astronomer at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is using data from the (CFHT) on Maunakea to help reconstruct a slow-motion cosmic collision, one that has been unfolding for hundreds of millions of years.

A new study from principal investigator R. Pierre Martin, a professor of at 东精影业 Hilo, and international researchers such as PhD student Camille Poitras and colleagues at Universit茅 Laval in Qu茅bec, Canada, simulates the past, present and future of two spiral galaxies, NGC 2207 and IC 2163. The findings were recently published in .

The team used a one-of-a-kind instrument on CFHT called , which can capture incredibly detailed views of entire galaxies all at once.

“Understanding what’s happening during these collisions is fundamental to our knowledge of galaxy evolution in general,” said Martin. “Our own galaxy, the Milky Way, has been through multiple interactions during its lifetime, with one of them having likely triggered the formation of our Sun, about 5 billion years ago.”

Collision timeline

The interaction began about 440 million years ago. Since then, the galaxies have slammed together, pulled apart and reconnected multiple times. Throughout time, they are expected to merge into a single system, their original structures no longer recognizable.

To trace that evolution, the team ran hundreds of simulations, mapping gas movement, star birth, supernovae explosions, chemical enrichment and structural changes across more than 600 million years.

The study shows how these encounters reshape galaxies such as mixing elements, triggering new star formation and influencing how planetary systems could emerge.

Pierre is quick to highlight that Poitras, the study鈥檚 lead author, was responsible for most of the work encapsulated in the paper. For Poitras, who began the work as an undergraduate, the project highlights the value of early research experience. That same hands-on approach is central at 东精影业 Hilo.

Hands-on learning

“Telescope and lab time have become a central pillar of 东精影业 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 astronomy program,” Martin said. “Even if you鈥檝e never used a telescope before in your life, for the four years you have here, it鈥檚 all about hands-on experience.”

Every astronomy course includes lab work, often connecting students directly with observatories on Maunakea. Since 2017, all telescope proposals submitted through the 东精影业 Hilo telescope time allocation process must include undergraduate researchers.

For more go to the .

Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi have uncovered new clues about how energy moves through the Sun鈥檚 outer atmosphere, using one of nature鈥檚 rarest events as their window: total solar eclipses.

Drawing on more than a decade of eclipse observations, a team led by Shadia Habbal at the has, for the first time, clearly identified turbulent structures in the Sun鈥檚 corona and shown that they can survive far from the solar surface. The findings help explain how the solar wind forms and evolves as it streams through the solar system. The study was published in .

“This work helps us understand how the Sun transfers energy into space,” said Habbal. “That process ultimately affects space weather, which can disrupt satellites, communications and power systems on Earth. Understanding where this turbulence comes from is key to predicting those impacts.”

Eclipse view

During a total solar eclipse, the Moon briefly blocks the Sun鈥檚 bright disk, allowing astronomers to observe the faint corona in exceptional detail. These moments reveal delicate, thread-like structures shaped by magnetic fields rising from below the Sun鈥檚 visible surface. High-resolution eclipse images show a corona that is far more dynamic than it appears in everyday solar observations.

Within these structures, the team identified clear signs of turbulence. Some features form vortex rings that resemble smoke rings, while others show rolling, wave-like motions similar to those seen in Earth鈥檚 clouds. By comparing eclipse data collected over nearly 12 years, spanning a full solar cycle, the researchers traced the origin of this activity to what are called prominences鈥攍arge, looping structures rooted on the Sun.

Prominences are dramatically cooler and denser than the million-degree plasma surrounding them. Where these contrasting regions meet, sharp changes in temperature and density create unstable conditions that trigger turbulent motion.

“For the first time, we were able to watch these turbulent structures form near the Sun and then follow them as they flowed outward with the solar wind,” Habbal said. “Seeing the same features later in space-based images tells us they remain intact over enormous distances.”

The study reveals the origin and evolution of turbulence in the corona, a process long linked to coronal heating and the acceleration of the solar wind.

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (IfA) is celebrating national recognition for a faculty member whose research is helping answer one of humanity鈥檚 biggest questions: How do planetary systems form, and could worlds like Earth be common in the universe? Fei Dai, an assistant astronomer at IfA, has been named a , one of the most notable and competitive honors for early-career scientists in North America.

Dai studies exoplanets, which are planets orbiting stars beyond our Sun. He investigates how their orbits, structures and compositions evolve over billions of years.

“I am incredibly grateful to receive this prestigious award,” said Dai. “While research is often a journey of quiet persistence and incremental progress, a milestone like this offers a chance to reflect on what our group has accomplished over the past few years. The Sloan Fellowship will undoubtedly catalyze new innovations and discoveries in the years ahead.”

Diversity of worlds

Dai鈥檚 work is reshaping scientists鈥� understanding of how solar systems are built. In a 2023 study, he and collaborators found that six planets orbiting the star TOI-1136 move in an almost perfectly synchronized pattern, known as a “resonant chain.” He has also played a central role in commissioning the Keck Planet Finder, a cutting-edge instrument capable of detecting tiny stellar wobbles to measure the masses and possible compositions of Earth-sized planets. That research is paving the way for future NASA missions designed to identify and study worlds that could support life.

“Fei represents the very best of the next generation of astronomers,” said IfA Director Doug Simons. “His work is fundamentally changing how we understand the birth and evolution of planetary systems. This recognition affirms not only his remarkable talent, but also the strength of IfA鈥檚 exoplanet research faculty and program.”

Dai joined IfA in 2024 following a highly competitive national search and previously held a NASA Sagan Fellowship, widely regarded as one of astronomy鈥檚 most selective postdoctoral awards.

Awarded this year to 126 of the most promising young researchers across the U.S. and Canada, the Sloan Research Fellowship recognizes scholars already driving major advances in their fields. Since 1955, eight faculty members from 东精影业 have received the distinction, including IfA faculty Michael Liu (2005), Christoph Baranec (2014) and Dan Huber (2019).

Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi (IfA) are helping reshape how scientists study the Sun. The 东精影业-led team has developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can map the Sun鈥檚 magnetic field in three dimensions with unprecedented accuracy, supporting research tied to the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) built and managed by the NSF National Solar Observatory (NSO) on Haleakal膩. The team鈥檚 findings were published in the .

“The Sun is the strongest space weather source that can affect everyday life here on Earth, especially now that we rely so much on technology,” said Kai Yang, an IfA postdoctoral researcher who led the work. “The Sun鈥檚 magnetic field drives explosive events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections. This new technique helps us understand what triggers these events and strengthens space weather forecasts, giving us earlier warnings to protect the systems we use every day.”

The Sun鈥檚 magnetic field controls eruptions that can disrupt satellites, power systems and communications on Earth. However, the field is tough to measure, making it difficult to create accurate maps. Instruments can show the way the field tilts, but not whether it points toward us or away from us, like looking at a rope from the side and not knowing which end is closer. Another problem is height. When scientists look at the Sun, they see several layers at the same time, so it鈥檚 difficult to tell how high each magnetic structure actually is. Sunspots make this even trickier because their strong magnetic fields bend the surface downward, creating a dip.

AI-powered insights

IfA researchers partnered with the National Solar Observatory and the High Altitude Observatory of the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research to build a new machine-learning system that blends real data with the basic laws of physics. Their algorithm, the Haleakal膩 Disambiguation Decoder, relies on a simple rule: magnetic fields form loops and don鈥檛 start or end. From there, the AI can figure out the true direction of the field and estimate the correct height of each layer.

The method has worked well on detailed computer models of the Sun, including calm areas, bright active regions and sunspots. Its accuracy is especially helpful for making sense of the high-resolution images from the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope.

“With this new machine-learning tool, the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope can help scientists build a more accurate 3D map of the Sun鈥檚 magnetic field,” said Yang. “It also reveals related features, like vector electric currents in the solar atmosphere that were previously very hard to measure. Together, this gives us a clearer picture of what drives powerful solar eruptions.”

Clearer Sun insights

With these advances, researchers can see the Sun鈥檚 magnetic landscape more accurately and improve predictions of the solar activity that impacts life on Earth.

AstroDay West 2025 brought a wave of excitement to Kona Commons as crowds gathered around science booths, telescopes and live demonstrations. The University of Hawaiʻi (IfA) joined partners across the island to offer a day of engaging ways to explore the universe at the annual event hosted by .

The day-long celebration offered family-friendly learning, free giveaways and simple science experiments designed to spark curiosity. Organizers said the goal was to make astronomy feel approachable for everyone.

“We were excited to provide keiki and families with the opportunity to learn more about science and astronomy right here in Kona,” said Carolyn Kaichi, education and outreach specialist at IfA. “Through hands-on learning and key partnerships with organizations across the island, we hoped to inspire the next generation of local science and technology leaders.”

Sun, sky and science

Visitors lined up to use a special solar telescope to safely view details on the sun鈥檚 surface. Nearby booths showed how stars form, how weather shapes our islands and how scientists observe the sky from Hawaiʻi鈥檚 mountaintops. IfA staff and students answered questions, guided activities and shared stories about their work.

AstroDay has long been a staple for families interested in science with a mission to strengthen public understanding of astronomy and create more opportunities for learning.

The event also featured displays and expertise from a wide range of partners, such as Las Cumbres Observatory, W. M. Keck Observatory, Gemini Observatory, Subaru Telescope, Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope, TMT International Observatory, NASA Solar System Ambassadors and the 东精影业 Hilo .

A new chapter in automated astronomy has begun on Maunakea. The University of Hawaiʻi (IfA) has launched initial science operations for , a robotic laser adaptive optics system now operating at the . The milestone marks a major leap in how astronomers observe the night sky.

Robo-AO-2 is designed to correct the blur caused by Earth鈥檚 atmosphere, sharpening images of hundreds of objects each night with minimal human oversight. The system is led by astronomer Christoph Baranec, who has spent years advancing adaptive optics technology at IfA.

“Making Robo-AO-2 operational represents years of dedicated engineering and innovation,” said Baranec, a member of IfA鈥檚 robotic adaptive optics program. “This system demonstrates how University of Hawaiʻi facilities continue to pioneer technologies that eventually make their way to the world’s largest telescopes and space missions.”

Hunting for habitable worlds

One of the first researchers to use the system is graduate student Guillaume Huber. He is conducting observations for NASA鈥檚 future , which will search for signs of life on planets around nearby stars. Huber is vetting a catalog of nearby stars that could host Earth-like planets.

“The Habitable Worlds Observatory will search for signs of life on planets orbiting other stars, but first we need to ensure those target stars don鈥檛 have close stellar companions,” Huber said. “Robo-AO-2鈥檚 ability to rapidly survey hundreds of targets makes it uniquely suited for this preparatory work.”

Advancing automation

New funding is driving the system even further. This year, the National Science Foundation and the Mt. Cuba Astronomical Foundation awarded $679,075 to fully automate Robo-AO-2. The NSF award will also support testing a new adaptive secondary mirror for the 东精影业 2.2-meter telescope, led by IfA astronomer Mark Chun. This technology could significantly improve image quality for future ground-based observatories.

“The adaptive secondary mirror will allow us to correct atmospheric turbulence directly at the telescope鈥檚 secondary mirror,” Baranec said. “Robo-AO-2 will play a crucial role in testing and validating this technology.”

Training the next generation

For IfA, the project is also about training. Students gain rare hands-on experience with real instruments at the university鈥檚 own facilities. The 东精影业 2.2-meter telescope serves as a crucial testbed where new instruments and techniques can be developed before deployment on larger facilities.

“Students are not just operating instruments鈥攖hey鈥檙e helping to build and improve them,” Baranec said. “Those skills are invaluable for careers in astronomy and engineering.”

Astronomers from the University of Hawaiʻi (IfA) have uncovered the turbulent past of a distant red giant by listening to its celestial “song.” Subtle variations in the star鈥檚 brightness suggest that it potentially once collided and merged with another star, an explosive event that left it spinning rapidly. It now orbits a quiet black hole in the Gaia BH2 system.

Using data from NASA鈥檚 Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), IfA astronomers detected faint “starquakes” rippling through the companion star of Gaia BH2, a black hole system first identified by the European Space Agency鈥檚 Gaia mission in 2023. Much like seismic waves reveal Earth鈥檚 inner layers, these stellar vibrations gave scientists a rare glimpse beneath the star鈥檚 surface, allowing them to measure its core properties with remarkable precision. The team鈥檚 findings were recently published in Astronomical Journal.

“Just like seismologists use earthquakes to study Earth’s interior, we can use stellar oscillations to understand what’s happening inside distant stars,” said IfA research scientist Daniel Hey, lead author of the study. “These vibrations told us something unexpected about this star’s history.”

Age-defying star

The biggest surprise came from the star鈥檚 makeup. It鈥檚 considered “alpha-rich”, which means it is packed with heavier elements usually found in much older stars, suggesting it should be ancient. However, when scientists studied its vibrations, they discovered it鈥檚 actually only about 5 billion years old, too young to have formed with those chemical traits.

“Young, alpha-rich stars are quite rare and puzzling,” explained Hey. “The combination of youth and ancient chemistry suggests this star didn’t evolve in isolation. It likely acquired extra mass from a companion, either through a merger or by absorbing material when the black hole formed.”

Faster than expected

The mystery deepens with long-term observations from ground-based telescopes showing the star rotates once every 398 days, much faster than expected for an isolated red giant of its age.

“If this rotation is real, it can’t be explained by the star’s birth spin alone,” said co-author Joel Ong, a NASA Hubble Fellow at IfA. “The star must have been spun up through tidal interactions with its companion, which further supports the idea that this system has a complex history.”

The team also examined Gaia BH3, another black hole system with an even more unusual companion star. Although models predicted that this star should show clear oscillations, none were detected, hinting that current theories about extremely metal-poor stars may need updating.

Both Gaia BH2 and BH3 are dormant black hole systems, meaning they aren鈥檛 feeding on their companion stars and therefore emit no X-rays. Their discovery through precise measurements of stellar motion is reshaping how astronomers understand black holes in our galaxy.

Peering deeper ahead

Future TESS observations of Gaia BH2 will give scientists a closer look at its stellar vibrations and may confirm whether it formed through a past merger, helping unravel how these quiet black hole pairs came to be.

Astronomers have captured one of the universe’s most dramatic moments—the instant a massive star exploded and the blast broke through the star’s surface. The rare event, observed with the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope, gave scientists an unprecedented look at a star’s final seconds. A University of Hawaiʻi astronomer was part of the international team that raced to record and study the supernova in real time.

For the first time, researchers were able to map the three-dimensional shape of a stellar explosion as it unfolded. Their discovery, published in , offers new clues about how giant stars live, die, and transform into supernovae that enrich the cosmos with the elements needed for life.

Chris Ashall, an assistant astronomer at the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 (IfA), was part of the global team that zeroed in on the stellar explosion known as SN 2024ggi. The supernova was first spotted in April 2024 in the nearby galaxy NGC 3621, 22 million light-years away in the constellation Hydra.

“As soon as the alert came in, we knew this was the kind of a relatively nearby explosion you might see once in a decade,” said Ashall. “If we could move fast enough, we had a chance to watch the blast wave literally breaking out of the star’s surface.”

Racing to capture observations

Within hours of the discovery, the international team submitted an urgent observation request to the European Southern Observatory. Ashall helped with this effort, prompting the Very Large Telescope in Chile to target the supernova just 26 hours after it was first spotted.

The team used a technique called spectropolarimetry, which measures how light of different colors is polarized, to reveal the three-dimensional shape of the exploding material. They discovered that the explosion was elongated, more like an olive than a sphere. As it expanded and hit surrounding gas, the blast began to flatten but kept the same orientation, hinting that many massive stars may collapse in the same way.

The dying star was a red supergiant about 12–15 times heavier than the Sun and roughly 500 times larger. Studying its shape offers new insight into how massive stars evolve and lose mass before they die.

“This shows what’s possible when you combine fast alerts, flexible telescopes, and a global team,” said Ashall.

Peering deeper

Ashall’s team at IfA is following the supernova with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Early results show clumpy debris where new molecules form, helping create one of the most detailed 3D views ever of a massive star’s final moments.

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 helped inspire hundreds of keiki and community members at the 24th annual on October 19. Hosted by the (HSGC) in partnership with 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 and Hawaiian Electric, the free STEM event engaged attendees with hands-on activities and workshops highlighting space exploration, Earth science, biology, oceanography, rocketry, robotics and coding.

鈥淭his event is all about inspiring Hawaiʻi鈥檚 students to dream big鈥攋ust like Lacy did,鈥� said Adria Fung, event coordinator and robotics education specialist with HSGC in the (SOEST). 鈥淗e grew up right here in Honolulu, had a huge dream, and quite literally chased the stars. We want our students to see that even if their dreams feel far away, they can reach them by staying curious and never being afraid to explore. Lacy Veach Day celebrates discovery and the spirit of lifelong learning.鈥�

Robots, fossils, rockets and more

This year featured 36 hands-on activities and displays led by more than 30 organizations including student groups from 东精影业, community organizations and industry professionals. They featured hands-on learning in the fields of robotics, fossils, marine biology, rocketry, Hawaiian voyaging, cube satellites, architecture, pilot simulation, microscopes and more. Workshops offered opportunities to learn about indoor drones, robotics, telescopes, hybrid cars and meteorites.

鈥淭his was Aiea Intermediate School robotics team’s first Lacy Veach Day and the students had a real blast,鈥� said Pete Miller, robotics coach at Aiea Intermediate School. 鈥淲e brought several robots for the public to play around with in the robotics arena, getting coaching from our team members as needed, plus my students were able to visit the other exhibits鈥搕he most popular were the planetarium, the drone display and several of the 东精影业 engineering and science exhibits.鈥�

Partnerships propel the event

Veach Day provides a unique opportunity for pre-service teachers to learn from other organizations about how they bring STEM to life, and build connections that might one day show up in their own classrooms.

鈥淰olunteering at Lacy Veach Day was a valuable and rewarding experience for pre-service teachers in our teacher preparation program,鈥� said Stacy George, faculty member at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 College of Education. 鈥淚t provided my students with a rare opportunity to engage in community outreach, network with science organizations, interact with families, and even develop their own interest in science.鈥�

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A health tech startup improving how community health workers (CHW) document client visits took the $2,000 first place prize in the second annual , hosted by the (PACE) in the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa鈥檚 . The startup was one of 12 interdisciplinary teams made up of 东精影业 Mānoa students that competed in the two-week challenge.

The competition was co-hosted by , a software platform led by a Shidler and PACE alumnus, that empowers community-based organizations to address the social drivers of health. It highlighted PACE鈥檚 mission to bridge academic learning with practical, work-based problem-solving.

“Innovate 808 shows how powerful interdisciplinary learning can be when we connect students to real community partners,” PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama said. “The ideas generated this year show that innovation truly thrives in collaboration.”

Interdisciplinary collaboration

The students in this year鈥檚 challenge represented 10 东精影业 Mānoa colleges and schools. The result was a dynamic combination of technical, social and entrepreneurial ideas to support Hawaiʻi鈥檚 community health workforce.

The winning team, Pear Lens, created a photo-based note capture and conversion tool that allows CHW to document client interactions more efficiently while maintaining data privacy. The team came together as four solo applicants met for the first time during the competition: Justin Paul Alejo (business), Jennifer Kawata (public administration), Biplav Paudel (business) and Ivy Vo (business).

“The competition brought together a diverse team of complete strangers to solve a complex challenge, but we quickly found our rhythm and collaborated seamlessly to propose a simple yet powerful idea,” Kawata said.

Kawehi Kea-Scott, a Pear Suite judge who used to work as a CHW, commended the team for “meeting CHWs where they are” by respecting existing workflows while introducing low-friction technology. “The fact that these students built a fully functioning prototype in just two weeks is remarkable,” Kea-Scott said.

Initially the competition was planned as a winner-takes-all prize structure, but the judges were so impressed by the presentations that three runner-up prizes were added. Each student from the following three teams won $350.

• Jayden Ronel Villanueva, Shannon Tai and Jaylyn-Kate Balon developed a tiered education and certification pathway with AI-generated feedback and mentoring for aspiring CHWs.
• Tate Goodman, Mau Tsujimura, Micah Tajiri and Lenox Covington created a machine-learning workflow tool that helps CHWs select the most effective resources for their clients.
• Logan Lee, Tristan Ta and Yeunggyun Kwon designed a referral platform that connects CHWs and clients based on shared experience and training, fostering stronger engagement.

Takeda invited the winning teams to present their solutions to his executive team and encouraged all participants to consider internships and employment at Pear Suite, as he shared that Pear Suite will be continuing its nationwide expansion after he recently raised $7.6 million in funding.

“Just try it, go out there and find problems to solve,” Takeda said. “Being able to test ideas, try new things and see what the feedback is from your customers is a great way to learn and grow.”

Teams were also mentored by Jeff Hui, PACE‘s entrepreneur in residence, who advised students to “take advantage of these real world experiences. These are the opportunities that open doors to new career paths and set you apart when you are interviewing for a job.”

A groundbreaking new instrument that lets astronomers see deeper into space than ever before using a single telescope was brought to life with help from a University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 faculty member. Installed on the atop Maunakea, the first-of-its-kind device set a new benchmark for how scientists study distant stars and planets.

The instrument, called a photonic lantern, separates starlight into multiple channels, like breaking a musical chord into individual notes, allowing computers to rebuild an ultra-clear image. It鈥檚 part of a new instrument called FIRST-PL, developed and led by 东精影业 and the Paris Observatory, and installed on the advanced optics platform (Subaru Coronagraphic Extreme Adaptive Optics) at .

“What excites me most is that this instrument blends cutting-edge photonics with the precision engineering done here in Hawaiʻi,” said S茅bastien Vievard, a faculty member from the 东精影业 Space Science and Engineering Initiative (SSEI) a joint program of the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 and . “It shows how collaboration across the world, and across disciplines, can literally change the way we see the cosmos.”

Sharper cosmic views

The breakthrough, published in , used the new setup to study a nearby star called beta Canis Minoris and revealed that its fast-spinning gas disk is unexpectedly lopsided, a detail never seen until now.

“This device splits the starlight according to its patterns of fluctuation, keeping subtle details that are otherwise lost. By reassembling the measurements of the outputs, we could reconstruct a very high-resolution image of a disk around a nearby star,” said Yoo Jung Kim, a graduate student at UCLA, and lead author on the study.

The international team included researchers from 东精影业, UCLA, the Paris Observatory, the University of Sydney and Subaru Telescope.

Hawaiʻi鈥檚 space future

The achievement marks a milestone for 东精影业鈥檚 new Space Science and Engineering Initiative, which launched its first engineering courses at 东精影业 Hilo in fall 2024. The initiative aims to position Hawaiʻi as a global hub for space research, technology development, and workforce training. Vievard, one of the program鈥檚 founding faculty members, is helping to lead this new academic path that blends classroom learning with hands-on engineering experience.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is celebrating a record milestone with 43 active recipients of the —the most in the institution鈥檚 history. Since 1996, 东精影业 Mānoa has produced 135 fellows, with this year鈥檚 record group representing nearly one-third of all recipients over the past 29 years.

NSF GRFP is one of the nation鈥檚 oldest and most competitive graduate fellowships, supporting outstanding students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics who are pursuing research-based master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees. Recipients receive a three-year annual stipend of $37,000 and a $16,000 cost-of-education allowance that covers tuition and fees, giving students the flexibility to focus on innovative research that advances science and benefits society.

for the next cycle of NSF GRFP, with deadlines in November for the 2026–27 academic year. Students interested in applying are encouraged to start early and take advantage of resources available through .

From exploding stars to native bees

Among the current fellows is Willem Hoogendam, a PhD candidate in who studies how stars end their lives in explosive supernovae. His research helps explain how essential elements such as iron and calcium are formed and dispersed across the universe, while also exploring rare interstellar comets discovered by Hawaiʻi-led sky surveys. Through the fellowship, Hoogendam also spent time at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and collaborated with leading astronomers in Australia and Hawaiʻi, experiences that broadened his research and professional network.

“It鈥檚 given me academic freedom at an early career stage,” Hoogendam said. “I鈥檝e been able to work with whom I want on what I want to explore. Without this fellowship, I would not have had the freedom to learn about and write papers on interstellar objects.”

The program鈥檚 flexibility has also benefited students such as Sami Akiba, a master鈥檚 student in who studies Hawaiian yellow-faced bees (Hylaeus spp.), the only bees that are native to the state. Her work focuses on understanding the habitat factors that support healthy native bee populations and the threats they face from invasive species. Akiba conducts her fieldwork in Haleakalā National Park on Maui, and has used the fellowship鈥檚 resources to expand her research and training opportunities across the country.

“I am grateful for the flexibility of the NSF GRFP,” Akiba said. “I get to design my own project, make shifts as needed and put effort into aspects of my research I think are particularly important or exciting, even if the ideas are a little unconventional.”

Since its creation in 1952, NSF GRFP has recognized more than 60,000 fellows, including Nobel Prize winners and members of the National Academy of Sciences. At 东精影业 Mānoa, the growing number of fellows highlights the university鈥檚 strong research culture and commitment to developing talent across scientific disciplines.