April 6-9         Merrie Monarch Events at 'Imiloa
April 7            Science Rocks! after-school program
April 14          Science Rocks! after-school program
April 17          Maunakea Skies lecture series at 7:00 pm
April 21          Science Rocks! after-school program
April 28          Science Rocks! after-school program

9:30-11 am     Keiki Kilohoku Korner activities in the atrium
10:00 am        Tycho to the Moon planetarium shows 

Credit: R. Kennicutt (Steward Obs.) et al., SSC, JPL, Caltech, NASA

This floating ring is the size of a galaxy. In fact, it is part of the Sombrero Galaxy, one of the largest galaxies in the nearby Virgo Cluster of Galaxies. The dark band of dust that obscures the mid-section of the Sombrero Galaxy in optical light actually glows brightly in infrared light. The above image shows the infrared glow, recently recorded
by the orbiting Spitzer Space Telescope, superposed in false-color on an existing image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in optical light. The Sombrero Galaxy, or Messier 104, spans some 50,000 light years and is 28 million light years away.

Businesses and companies have a new opportunity for helping to perpetuate 'Imiloa's journey of exploration and pursuit of knowledge.  Our Corporate Membership program supports 'Imiloa's educational offerings such as our dynamic Science Rocks! afterschool sessions and stimulating Furlough Friday activities.  Plus, members receive a great benefits package including tickets, facility rental discounts, free days and business logo showcasing opportunities. 

'Imiloa membership is an important investment in the future of our island and state.  If you are interested in becoming a Corporate Member, please contact Nico Verissimo at (808) 969-9732 or nverissimo@imiloahawaii.org.  

 

Click here for a Corporate Membership brochure.    

Keiki Kilohoku Korner

'Imiloa's Science Rocks! is an educational and interactive after-school program that runs every Wednesday from 2:30-5:15pm.  Tailored for students grades 4-6, each Science Rocks! session is $15 and limited to 20 students.  Snacks are provided.  Click here for the brochure, and here for the enrollment form.  For more information, please call our School Programs Coordinator, Gail Loeffler, at 969-9729. 

April 7     Slime & Polymer Chemistry

April 14    Human Body

April 21    Earth Science

April 28    Weather

Camp 'Imiloa

Give your keiki the opportunity this summer to explore science, math and culture while having FUN!  Our Camp 'Imiloa Science Rocks! programs are totally hands-on, as campgoers will be building with wind tubes, constructing functional engine models, examining the world around them using telescopes and microscopes and even learn about sound while playing in a marimba performance!  Camps are open to students grades 3-6 (as of January 1, 2010). 

 

Camps are 4 days long, from 8 am to 12 noon.  $100 for members, $110 for non-members.  Daily drop-ins may be available at $30 per day.  Tuition includes science supplies.  Click here for a camp brochure.  For more information, please call Gail Loeffler at 969-9729.

June 1-4     Camp 'Imiloa Science Rocks! for Girls

June 8-11    Camp 'Imiloa Science Rocks! for Boys

STARBASE HAWAII Comes to 'Imiloa

Photo courtesy of STARBASE HAWAII

Calling all future aviators!  STARBASE Hawaii will be coming to 'Imiloa in June and July for their FREE Summer 2010 FSX 3-Day Intro to Flight programs.  Soar above the Hawaiian Islands with STARBASE's flight simulators and learn about mission planning, flying safety, aircraft design, and so much more!

 

Intro to Flight is open to the first 15 students grades 6-8.  Students need to bring their lunches, snacks and drinks.  To register, please call STARBASE Hawaii at (808) 982-4298 or email starbasehi@gmail.com.

Intro to Flight (9am - 2pm)

June 22-24

June 29-July 1

July 20-22

Furlough Fridays at 'Imiloa

At a time when school days were vaporized by Furlough Friday's and the epic light saber battle of finger pointing between the government, legislators and unions was daily news,  Imiloa Astronomy Center stepped up to provide two amazing educational programs.  On Wednesday's Imiloa hosts an after-school science program for students in grades 4 to 6 and on the 17 days the Department of Education declared as Furlough Friday's, Imiloa provides a full-day of science enrichment activities for children in grades K-8.

 

To witness my child's interest in education and personal awareness soar to new heights is truly exciting! The resources, skills and energy the enrichment programs at Imiloa utilized to inspire the children is a great benefit to the education community. My child is provided a turbo boost of supplemental education through the Imiloa enrichment program when his basic education was short-changed by circumstances imposed by the State reaction to its budget crisis.  He also experienced the true meaning of Imiloa, the "exploration driven by a sense of wonder and imagination."  Thank you.  My son and I can't wait for your summer camp.

 -Ian and Sue Lee Loy

 

'Imiloa Museum Theater Performers

'Imiloa is currently hosting UH Hilo student interns as Museum Theatre Performers. These interns present various topics through skits, lectures, and theatre.  

The Hawaiian Star Compass                            Tuesdays 12:15 pm 

This 15 minute presentation introduces the concept of the star compass used in Polynesian oceanic navigation.

Finding Hokupa'a (the North Star) in Hawai'i  Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:45 
A ten-minute presentation about how ancient Hawaiians navigated by the North Star, and how you can find the North Star in the sky at night here in Hawai'i.

 

Na Anuenue o Hawai'i nei: The Rainbows of Hawai'i 
Tuesdays & Thursdays 1:30 pm
A short presentation about how rainbows are formed and the meaning of rainbows in the Hawaiian culture.   Discover how you see rainbows here in Hawai'i.

 

Lauhala Gathering & Preparation                                                                      Thursdays 12:15 pm

A 10-20 minute participatory session shares techniques for gathering and preparing lauhala for weaving.  Materials will be provided.  Weave your own lauhala fish!

 

A Brief History of the 'Ukulele in Hawai'i                                                      Saturdays 12 noon & 1:30 pm, Sundays 1:30 pm

Discover where the Hawaiian instrument came from and where it's gone.
 

Poor Pluto                                                                                                            Fridays 12:45 pm, Saturdays & Sundays 12:30, 12:45, & 1:45 pm 

A brief presentation on the main planets of the Solar System , including Pluto. 

 

• Mercury is at its best this month on April 8th, look for it just after sunset.
   
• Venus is in the west at sunset.  Look for it within 1 hour of sunset.
   
• Mars is visible for a good portion of the evening and is dimming significantly from its bright appearance in January.
   
• Jupiter is visible just prior to sunrise, look for it early in the morning sky.  Try using binoculars to spot the four Galilean Moons - Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
   
• Saturn is visible most of the evening.  The rings continue to open up making them more and more spectacular each month this year.
  

3D Hitchhikers Guide to the New Universe

Thursday evenings from April 8 to May 13, 3D Hitchhikers Guide to the New Universe will be presented at the `Imiloa Planetarium.  Shawn Laatsch, `Imiloa's planetarium manager, will host the evening presentation and will "fly" participants out into space on a unique and engaging tour through The New Universe. The shows will be on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.

       

Laatsch will utilize the newly updated software and datasets in the planetarium to take the audience on a journey through the Solar System, exploring planets, their moons, asteroids and the Oort cloud.  Continuing outward we visit other star systems with planets, explore the Milky Way Galaxy and its components,  journey into intergalactic space exploring galaxies, and travel to the farthest extent that our astronomical instruments are able to show us.  This virtual 3D flight through the cosmos will awe and inspire audiences with the wonders of exploration.  The program highlight the newest datasets and discoveries in astronomy from numerous sources.  The show is presented in stunning 3D making audiences feel as if they can reach out and touch the universe.  45-50 minutes in length.  $8 for members, $10 for non-members.