Modern History of Astronomy in Hawaii. Günther Hasinger Astrocoffee IfA, September 11, 2015

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1 Modern History of Astronomy in Hawaii Günther Hasinger Astrocoffee IfA, September 11, 2015

2 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.

3 Captain Cook In 1769 Captain Cook sailed to Tahiti to observe the transit of Venus. This was one of the most important measurements of its time, determining the size of the solar system and thus the universe. Continuing on his journey, he discovered Hawaii. Cook Green Thus astronomy brought both the Polynesian settlers and the European discoverers to Hawaii

kingdom can add its quota toward the successful accomplishment of the most important

4 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

5 Venus Transit 2012 Venus Transit 2012: ~15000 Visitors at Waikiki Beach in Hawaii

6 1880 The Royal Hawaiian Telescope Letter of King Kalakaua to Captain R. S. Floyd, expressing his interest in having an 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. 1884

7 Fate of Kalakaua s Telescope Kaimuki College of Hawaii è U. Hawaii Observatory Halley s Comet 1910 Images from Walt Steiger, Hawaii Institute for Geophysics Physics student Barbara Jay University of Hawaii Solar Observatory at Makapuu Point, Oahu

8 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

9 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)

10 Haleakala Observatory Today Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope Pan-STARRS Observatory PS1 & PS2 Maui Space Surveillance Complex (AEOS) July 31, 2015, courtesy Mike Maberry

11 The devastating Tsunami of May 1960

The pioneers of Maunakea Astronomy Mitsuo

Guitar Player The first objects in Kuiper

12 The pioneers of Maunakea Astronomy Mitsuo Akiyama Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce Howard Ellis Mauna Loa Weather Observatory Gerald Kuiper U. of A. Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Alika Herring Master Optician Master Observer Guitar Player The first objects in Kuiper Belt have been discovered with the 88 telescope on Maunakea.

13 50 years of astronomy on Maunakea Ellis Akiyama Kuiper August 26, 2014

14 Gerard Kuiper & Governor Burns Mauna Kea 1964

15 Alika Herring a Native Hawaiian, polished the best mirrors of his time. He also was a master steel guitar player.

16 Alika Herring with his 12 telescope on Pu u Poliahu

17 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

18 Mitsuo Akiyama, Mrs. Akiyama and Howard Ellis on Pu u Poliahu

19 Jim Harwood and Alika Herring, preparing seeing measurements on various sites on Maunakea.

20 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.

21 IfA founding Director John Jefferies Won the NASA competition for the 88 telescope. Founded the Institute for Astronomy. Built up Maunakea as a premier astronomical observatory.

22 1970 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)

23 Two decades of rapid development Keck 1993 & 1996 Gemini 1999 Subaru 1999 CFHT 1979 IRTF 1979 UKIRT 1979 CSO 1987 JCMT 1987 VLBA 1992

24 The Submillimeter Array (8 x 6m) 2002

25 MAUNAKEA OBSERVATORIES

26 Nights on Maunakea Time lapse videos from Jason Chu, IfA graduate student

27 MAUNAKEA OBSERVATORIES Total Impact per Telescope (2015 Courtesy D. Crabtree)

28 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.

29 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!

30 The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT)

31 TMT on Maunakea

The resurgence of native Hawaiian culture in the later 20 th century coincided with the development of Maunakea as an astronomy site,

32 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 20 th century coincided with the development of Maunakea as an astronomy site, leading to significant tension, activism, protests, etc., particularly in the 90 s as 8-10 m class telescopes were built. The future of Maunakea astronomy is inextricably linked to Hawaiian culture. Hawaiian Shrine on the True Summit of Maunakea

33 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.

34 Mahalo

Timeline of Astronomy in Hawai'i: Group Reading Activity

Timeline of Astronomy in Hawai'i: Group Reading Activity CLASS DISCUSSION READ THESE PARAGRAPHS ALOUD TO BEGIN OUR TIMELINE: 1940s: Grote Reber places a radio antenna atop the 10,025-foot high Haleakala