Among the finalists in a national NASA competition focused on advancing technologies for future space exploration is a student-led engineering team from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and 东精影业 Hilo.

(Robotic Space Exploration) is one of 14 university teams selected for the 2026 . The challenge invites students to develop innovative concepts supporting sustained human activity on the Moon, Mars and beyond.

Powering lunar operations

The team鈥檚 proposal, (Power Energy Transfer Architecture for the Lunar), centers on building a scalable power management and distribution system for lunar operations. The concept integrates multiple energy sources and storage methods, including nuclear power and energy stored using lunar soil, to support long-term missions and lays the groundwork for future applications on Mars.

As a finalist, Project PETAL received a $7,000 award to support participation in the RASC-AL Forum, scheduled for June 1–4, in Cocoa Beach, Florida. During the forum, students will present their work to NASA engineers and industry professionals while refining their concepts through technical feedback. The top-performing teams will be recognized for technical merit, innovation and presentation excellence.

“Being part of this project has shown us what it takes to develop a concept that could be considered for future lunar and Mars missions,” said Nathan Chong, project manager of Project PETAL and 东精影业 Mānoa computer engineering freshman. “It鈥檚 been incredibly rewarding to collaborate across campuses and push ourselves to think at a much higher level.”

The project also aligns with broader 东精影业 efforts supporting NASA鈥檚 Artemis missions, including a lunar rover instrument being developed at 东精影业 Mānoa that is slated to fly as part of the Artemis 5 mission. The work creates opportunities to connect student-led projects such as PETAL with real-world systems headed to the Moon.

Space science and engineering initiative

Project PETAL members are primarily from engineering and related STEM disciplines at 东精影业 Mānoa and 东精影业 Hilo. The interdisciplinary effort emphasizes hands-on design, systems integration and real-world problem-solving. Faculty advisors supporting the project include Matthew Siegler and Marvin Young from 东精影业 Mānoa, and Branden Allen from 东精影业 Hilo.

Project PETAL is part of , which aims to expand space technology development and hands-on student training. Launched in 2024, the initiative provides students with opportunities to work on advanced space systems while building Hawaiʻi鈥檚 capacity in aerospace engineering and instrumentation. It is a collaboration among 东精影业 Mānoa鈥檚 College of Engineering, the Institute for Astronomy and 东精影业 Hilo.

Team RoSE is one of more than 20 at 东精影业 Mānoa, which seek to foster long-term, in-depth, project-based learning to engage students and better prepare them for future careers.

More about Project PETAL

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.

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).

The University of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 standing as a premier global research institution has been further solidified with the release of the , which features nearly 60 of the university鈥檚 top faculty and researchers at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 and 东精影业 Hilo. This elite designation honors scholars who rank in the top 0.05% of all researchers worldwide based on lifetime achievement and significant impact within their specialties.

From pioneering work in climate dynamics and volcanology to breakthrough discoveries in cancer research, these honorees represent the pinnacle of academic productivity and quality. ScholarGPS algorithms categorize a wide range of scholarly research into 14 fields, which are subdivided into 177 distinct disciplines. Research is further categorized into a dynamic list of many niche specialties.

“To have our researchers ranked among the top 0.05% in the world is a remarkable achievement that reflects our institution鈥檚 legacy of excellence,” said Chad Walton, 东精影业 interim vice president for research and innovation. “These scholars are not only leaders in their respective fields—from the depths of our oceans to the far reaches of space—but they are also the engine driving innovation that directly benefits the people of Hawaiʻi and our global community.”

Highly ranked scholars:

• 1. Bin Wang, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 2. David M. Karl, SOEST
• 3. Brian Bowen, SOEST
• 4. Julian McCreary, SOEST
• 5. Edward S. Fisher, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 6. Richard E. Moore, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 7. Bruce Houghton, SOEST
• 8. Robert E. Paull, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR), 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 9. Helen H. Yu, Department of Public Administration, College of Social Sciences, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 10. Takie Sugiyama Lebra, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 11. Weilin Qu, College of Engineering, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 12. Bo Qiu, SOEST
• 13. Ryuzo Yanagimachi, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 14. Henri Casanova, Department of Information and Computer Sciences, College of Natural Sciences
• 15. Yuqing Wang, SOEST
• 16. Raymond B. Cattell, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 17. Michele Carbone, 东精影业 Cancer Center, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 18. Richard M. Manshardt, CTAHR
• 19. Rick Kazman, Shidler College of Business, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 20. John M. J. Madey, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 21. John A. Shepherd, 东精影业 Cancer Center
• 22. Manfred B. Steger, Department of Sociology, College of Social Sciences
• 23. Klaus Wyrtki, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 24. Stephen N. Haynes, Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences
• 25. Daniel D. Suthers, Department of Information and Computer Sciences, College of Natural Sciences
• 26. Margaret J. McFall-Ngai, SOEST
• 27. Barbara Watson Andaya, College of Arts, Languages and Letters (CALL), 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 28. Dru C. Gladney, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 29. Murli H. Manghnani, SOEST
• 30. Elaine Hatfield, Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences
• 31. Theodore S. Rodgers, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 32. Craig Smith, SOEST
• 33. Edward F. DeLong, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 34. Karl Seff, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences
• 35. Roger Lukas, SOEST
• 36. Russell H. Messing, CTAHR
• 37. Efraim Turban, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 38. Leonard Y. Andaya, Department of History, CALL
• 39. Masayoshi Yamaguchi, 东精影业 Cancer Center
• 40. Richard L Rapson, Department of History, CALL
• 41. Thomas A. Wills, 东精影业 Cancer Center
• 42. Andrew E. Christie, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 43. Dieter Mueller-Dombois, CTAHR
• 44. Wai-Fah Chen, College of Engineering
• 45. Garry A Rechnitz, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences
• 46. Michael J. Antal, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 47. Curtis C. Daehler, School of Life Sciences, College of Natural Sciences
• 48. Paul J. Scheuer, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 49. George S. Hammond, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 50. Ronald H. Heck, College of Education, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 51. Loic Le Marchand, 东精影业 Cancer Center
• 52. Victor M. Lubecke, College of Engineering
• 53. Robert S. Desowitz, John A. Burns School of Medicine, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 54. Adrian Dunn, SOEST
• 55. Alan H. Teramura, College of Natural Sciences
• 56. J. Patrick Henry, Institute for Astronomy, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补
• 57. Laurence N. Kolonel, 东精影业 Cancer Center
• 58. Naoto T. Ueno, 东精影业 Cancer Center
• 59. Anthony D. Wright, 东精影业 Hilo

There are some researchers on the list who have retired or passed away.

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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.”

Hundreds of prospective students, their ʻohana, alumni and community members filled the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus on November 15, for Discover 东精影业 Mānoa, the university鈥檚 largest annual open house.

The three-hour event offered guests a rare, all-access experience across campus, featuring more than 100 academic programs and student services, hands-on demonstrations, workshops, research activities, live entertainment and guided tours.

“I hope they walk away feeling that this is their ʻohana. We can鈥檛 wait to welcome them in, support them, and help them reach every goal they鈥檙e chasing,” said 东精影业 President Wendy Hensel. “We鈥檙e truly excited for this next generation, come on in, we鈥檙e ready for you.”

Event highlights

Visitors got a lively snapshot of campus life through hands-on workshops, research demos and student projects from a wide range of units at 东精影业 Mānoa everything from STEM, the arts, humanities and Hawaiian studies. The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience drew crowds with its cooking demonstrations, serving up green onion Korean pancakes and ʻuala desserts, made from locally grown ingredients. The 东精影业 Marching Band and 东精影业 athletes kept the crowd energized with performances and meet-and-greet opportunities.

Farrington High School senior Mikaela Paet explored the event with her classmates and said she was excited to learn more about the program she hopes to pursue.

“Just walking around the campus makes me very welcomed. A lot of the programs interest me, specifically nursing,” Paet said.

The day also featured an Alumni Makers鈥� Market, food trucks, free shave ice, prizes, giveaways, 东精影业 Bookstore merchandise and guided housing tours, giving visitors a well-rounded look at life on campus.

“东精影业 Mānoa offers something rare—world-class research opportunities, strong academic programs, Division I athletics, and a campus experience you won鈥檛 find just anywhere. It鈥檚 truly an exceptional place to learn and grow,” said Vassilis Syrmos, interim provost at 东精影业 Mānoa.

东精影业 Mānoa鈥檚 rising momentum

The annual open house comes as 东精影业 Mānoa continues to earn national recognition. The university recently climbed 62 spots in the 2026 Wall Street Journal Best Colleges rankings and set new records in research funding and philanthropy.

Enrollment has also reached its highest level in five years, signaling strong demand from Hawaiʻi families and students from around the world.

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.