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Modern History of Astronomy in Hawaii – Günther Hasinger – Astrocoffee – Ifa, September 11, 2015 Picking up from the Wonderful Talk by Kalepa Baybayan at the IAU GA

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Modern History of Astronomy in Hawaii – Günther Hasinger – Astrocoffee – Ifa, September 11, 2015 Picking up from the Wonderful Talk by Kalepa Baybayan at the IAU GA Modern History of Astronomy in Hawaii – Günther Hasinger – Astrocoffee – IfA, September 11, 2015 Picking up from the wonderful talk by Kalepa Baybayan at the IAU GA “The ancient Hawaiians were astronomers” wrote Queen Liliuokalani, Hawaii's last reigning monarch, in 1897 in the introduction to her translation of the “Kumulipo”. Captain Cook In 1769 Captain Cook sailed to Tahiti to observe the transit of Venus. This was one of the most important Cook measurements of its time, determining the size of the solar system and thus the universe. Continuing on his journey, he “discovered” Hawaii. Green Thus astronomy brought both the Polynesian settlers and the European discoverers to Hawaii 1874 Venus Transit British Astronomer George L. Tupman King Kalakaua wrote in 1873: It will afford me unfeigned satisfaction if my kingdom can add its quota toward the successful accomplishment of the most important astronomical observation of the present century and assist, however humbly, the enlightened nations of the earth in these costly enterprises…” Venus Transit 2012 Venus Transit 2012: ~15000 Visitors at Waikiki Beach in Hawaii 1880 The “Royal Hawaiian Telescope” Letter of King Kalakaua to Captain R. S. Floyd, expressing his interest in having an 1884 observatory in Hawaii. In 1881 King Kalakaua looks through the Lick observatory 12” telescope. He enthusiastically expressed a desire to bring such a telescope to Hawaii. In 1884 a 5” refractor was installed in the dome constructed above Pauahi Hall on the Punahou School Campus. Fate of “Kalakaua’s Telescope” Images from Walt Kaimuki Observatory Halley’s Comet Steiger, Hawaii Institute for Geophysics Physics student Barbara Jay College of Hawaii è U. Hawaii 1910 University of Hawaii Solar Observatory at Makapuu Point, Oahu 1967. 1958 Pioneering Haleakalā The Grote Reber Circle Telescope The telescope was supposed to use the ocean as a reflector to form an interferometer. Reber, the Father of Radio Astronomy, was disappointed by the results of this telescope, mainly due to man-made radio interference from Maui and Oahu. Reber was the first to build on Haleakalā. His telescope structure collapsed under ice and snow in an ice storm in 1957 Haleakalā, 1955 Beginning of Solar Physics at UH Hα image of the sun Makapuu Point Solar Observatory 29 February 1958 (IGY) Haleakala Groundbreaking and completion of Mees Observatory in 1962 Feb 1962 Nov 1962 Courtesy: University of Hawaii Institute for Geophysics (HIGP) Haleakala Observatory Today Maui Space Surveillance Daniel K. Inouye Pan-STARRS Complex Solar Telescope Observatory (AEOS) PS1 & PS2 July 31, 2015, courtesy Mike Maberry The devastating Tsunami of May 1960 The pioneers of Maunakea Astronomy Mitsuo Akiyama Howard Ellis Gerald Kuiper Alika Herring Hawaii Island Mauna Loa U. of A. Lunar Master Optician Chamber of Weather and Planetary Master Observer Commerce Observatory Laboratory Guitar Player The first objects in Kuiper Belt have been discovered with the 88” telescope on Maunakea. 50 years of astronomy on Maunakea Ellis Akiyama Kuiper August 26, 2014 Gerard Kuiper & Governor Burns Mauna Kea 1964 Alika Herring … a Native Hawaiian, polished the best mirrors of his time. He also was a master steel guitar player. Alika Herring … with his 12” telescope on Pu’u Poliahu He was driven to make the best map of the moon to find landing sites for the Apollo Astronauts, following the footsteps of his polynesian ancestors Mitsuo Akiyama, Mrs. Akiyama and Howard Ellis on Pu’u Poliahu Jim Harwood and Alika Herring, preparing seeing measurements on various sites on Maunakea. – Smooth air flow across the summit minimizes turbulence, helping keep images steady and increasing resolution compared to most other high altitude sites – Predominant East-West air flow, unobstructed by land for thousands of miles before it reaches Hawaii IfA founding Director John Jefferies 1964-1983 Won the NASA competition for the 88” telescope. Founded the Institute for Astronomy. Built up Maunakea as a premier astronomical observatory. First Step: The 88” Telescope The road and the telescope sites were carefully chosen to avoid Lake Weiau and the culturally most significant cinder cones (including the summit itself) 1970 Two decades of rapid development CFHT 1979 IRTF 1979 UKIRT 1979 CSO 1987 JCMT 1987 VLBA 1992 Keck 1993 & 1996 Gemini 1999 Subaru 1999 The Submillimeter Array (8 x 6m) 2002 MAUNAKEA OBSERVATORIES Nights on Maunakea Time lapse videos from Jason Chu, IfA graduate student Total Impact per Telescope – MAUNAKEA (2015 – Courtesy D. Crabtree) – OBSERVATORIES 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 Importance of Maunakea Observatories to Astronomy – Maunakea Observatories Total – Plot courtesy Markus Kissler-Patig The Holy Grail: Earth-2 To find an Earth-like planet around a solar-type star, which is close enough, that future generationss might fly there. We already have made great strides towards this goal. From work done here in Hawaii we know that ~20% of all stars have Earth-like planets in their habitable zone. The closest of these could be just 10 light years away. Where is it? Hawaii could well be the gateway to the next planets! The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) TMT on Maunakea Maunakea – A Sacred Mountain • As the highest peak in Hawaii (Polynesia), Maunakea has enormous importance to Native Hawaiians and is among the most sacred sites in the State. • The resurgence of native Hawaiian culture in the later 20th century coincided with the development of Maunakea as an astronomy site, leading to significant tension, Hawaiian Shrine on the activism, protests, etc., particularly in – True Summit of Maunakea the ‘90’s as 8-10 m class telescopes were built. • The future of Maunakea astronomy is inextricably linked to Hawaiian culture. Classic “3 Legged Stool” Situation Sustainability through balance Science Environment Culture – We are all stewards of this sacred mountain Courtesy Doug Simons, director of CFHT, the pioneer and local hero in searching for Common Ground & Paul Coleman, Hawaiian Astronomer. Mahalo .
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