UH Institute for Astronomy

UH Institute for Astronomy The Friends of the Institute for Astronomy foster community involvement and develop private resourc

Some of the most exciting science in the world is happening at the Institute for Astronomy (IfA), and you can be part of it! IfA scientists conduct research into galaxies, cosmology, stars, planets, and the Sun, as well as teaching undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Hawaii. We invite you to become part of the Friends and explore our amazing universe.

We are out at the Waikele Elementary School career fair today and students get to check out the ! HIDOE University of H...
09/09/2026

We are out at the Waikele Elementary School career fair today and students get to check out the ! HIDOE University of Hawai‘i Research & Innovation University of Hawaii at Manoa

09/02/2026

Six Hawaiʻi Island students helped bring a new Gemini North image to life!

They selected the interacting galaxies NGC 7253, and gave this image its Hawaiian name:
✨ Nā ʻUhane Māhoe Huki Pū i ke Ola,
“The Twin Spirits Pulling Together Creating Life.”

The creation of this image began in October 2025 with three local students from Waiākea High School and the Volcano School of Arts and Sciences participating in the Project Hōkūlani internship. Interns Raiyan Rahman, Rafan Rahman, and Alia Tamanha spent one week at the Gemini North Hilo Base Facility with three goals: learn about observatory operations and how scientific data is collected; deepen their own appreciation for Maunakea; and select an astronomical object for Gemini North to image.

In June 2026, three more local students from Keaʻau High School and Kamehameha Schools joined the Project Hōkūlani internship program. Mylin Wilson, Manu Silva-Sampaio, and Samantha Silva-Sampaio shared many of the same goals as their predecessors, and built upon their work by creating a name for the new image of NGC 7253.

About the image
Over 200 million light-years away, NGC 7253 is slowly being drawn together by gravity. Their collision is also triggering new star formation, seen here as glowing pink regions.The image was captured by Gemini North telescope on Maunakea as part of the NOIRLab Legacy Imaging Program.

📷 International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA

09/01/2026
08/30/2026
Our celebrating the successful launch of the NASA Nancy Roman Grace Space Telescope from NASA's Kennedy Space Center t...
08/30/2026

Our celebrating the successful launch of the NASA Nancy Roman Grace Space Telescope from NASA's Kennedy Space Center this morning. Go Roman! University of Hawaii at Manoa University of Hawai‘i Research & Innovation Maunakea Observatories

08/30/2026

Bring a little bit of the cosmos into your space. 🌌

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is set to investigate some of the biggest questions in astrophysics, from how the universe evolved to how common planets are beyond our solar system.

As launch approaches, bring the mission into your classroom, home, office, or workplace.

⬇️ Check the comments below to download and display a Roman poster as we count down to this next chapter in exploring the cosmos.

Love this!
08/30/2026

Love this!

Roman’s camera is made up of 18 HAWAII infrared sensors - originally developed right at our Hilo facility!
08/30/2026

Roman’s camera is made up of 18 HAWAII infrared sensors - originally developed right at our Hilo facility!

Get ready to widen your view 🤩

While you wait for launch, brush up on some key facts about Roman!

https://go.nasa.gov/4ydmu4f

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2680 Woodlawn Drive
Honolulu, HI
96822

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+18089568566

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