AstroDay Kona

Gemini staff share images and answer questions with AstroDay visitors.  Photo credit: Joy Pollard

The first AstroDay West Hawai`i event sponsored by the Institute for Astronomy - Hilo and the Maunakea Astronomy Outreach Committee (MKAOC) attracted over 3000 participants at the Kona Commons Shopping Center. AstroDay, which celebrated its 17th year in East Hawaii this May, provides an opportunity for the Big Island community to learn about the exciting science happening in Hawai`i through demonstrations and hands-on activities presented by observatory staff.
 
During the day-long event the Gemini display kept visitors engaged in grabbing images, posing for photos, taking a virtual tour of the Gemini North telescope, speaking with Gemini staff, and exploring the night sky in the StarLab portable planetarium.