Behind every astronomical discovery are the stories and experiences of the people who made it possible. Explore the latest from across the Maunakea Observatories.
STORIES
UH Hilo, Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope, and Université Laval Collaborate to Simulate Galaxy Collision
A new study co-authored by Camille Poitras, Dr. R. Pierre Martin of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, and colleagues at Université Laval (Québec, Canada) simulates the past, present, and future of a collision between two spiral galaxies, using Canada-France-Hawaiʻi Telescope data. Discoveries like these speak to the importance of undergraduate research experience and international collaboration.
Maunakea Scholars program celebrates 10-year anniversary
By Stefan Verbano for Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald
Started during the 2015-2016 school year, Maunakea Scholars celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year. It’s an innovative, one-of-a-kind program giving public high school students across the state a competitive chance to conduct research at Maunakea’s telescope array — something the program’s administrators have affectionately dubbed “telescope time.”
Community Astronomy and Mutual Stewardship at the AAS Winter Meeting
Maunakea Observatories, ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, and the Hawaiʻi I Ke Alo Mutual Stewardship Project, in partnership with the American Astronomical Society (AAS), convened a three-day, in-person summit focused on implementing community models of astronomy and mutual stewardship.
Journey Through the Universe Observes 22 Years
Hawaiʻi Island’s largest astronomy education program, Journey Through the Universe, hosted its 22nd year of classroom visits, career panels, and community events in a fun-filled week, February 2 to 6, 2026 (Spring Journey Week). Throughout the week, 46 volunteer educators from the Maunakea Observatories, NASA, various universities, and more shared stellar hands-on experiences at local schools and inspired over 3,000 students to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) in classrooms ranging from second to 12th grade.
Akamai Internship Kicks Off 2026 Recruitment Following Stellar 2025 Cohort
Applications are open for the 2026 Akamai Internship Program, a cornerstone of Hawaiʻi’s STEM workforce development for 22 years. In summer 2025, the program supported 33 interns, each matched with a Hawaiʻi-based observatory — including 15 at Maunakea Observatories — for an immersive internship experience. Step inside the 2025 cohort and learn about their innovation and impact at the Maunakea Observatories.