KONA, HAWAI`I – Learners of all ages are invited to Kona Commons Shopping Center in Kailua Kona on Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for a day of astronomy and natural sciences. Sponsored by the Maunakea Observatories, this free, open-air event is an opportunity for the community to meet with scientists and educators and learn how Hawai`i contributes to new and amazing discoveries in astronomy. This year the event will be held in the former Old Navy store space.
The Maunakea Observatories and other science-based community organizations will offer fun and informative demonstrations and activities, including a portable planetarium. Free giveaways will be available while supplies last and the UH Institute for Astronomy will have a solar telescope on site, outside the event area, to safely view the surface of the sun. The event will also feature prize drawings for a Celestron telescope and other giveaways at noon and 2 p.m., along with the Maunakea Coin Contest for Hawaiʻi Island students in grades K–12.
Participants in AstroDay include:
- Maunakea Observatories: UH Institute for Astronomy, Subaru Telescope, WM Keck Observatory, Gemini Observatory, Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope
- Other Institutions: Maunakea Visitor Information Station, UH Hilo Astrophysics Club, NASA Solar System Ambassadors, Onizuka Space Science Program, Thelma Parker Memorial and School Library, PISCES, Hawaiian Volcano Education & Resilience Institute (HVERI),JCMT/East Asian Observatories, National Weather Service (NOAA) Mauna Loa, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Ke Kai Ola (Marine Mammal Center, HCC Palamanui Natural Science Dept, Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative.
A special activity offered by Gemini Observatory is the portable planetarium.
The whole family is welcome to this free community event at Kona Commons Shopping Center, sponsored by the Maunakea Observatories.
About The Mauna Kea Astronomy Outreach Committee
AstroDay is a science and astronomy event sponsored by the Maunakea Astronomy Outreach Committee (MKAOC). MKAOC is a partnership of scientists, administrators, and educators in astronomy throughout the state of Hawaiʻi. The mission of MKAOC is to coordinate and organize the collective outreach efforts of the astronomy community and act as a forum for the astronomy community and related organizations to plan and coordinate outreach activities.
About Kona Commons
Kona Commons, owned by local partners MacNaughton and Kobayashi Group, offers something for everyone and is home to 25 national and locally owned shops, and restaurants. Voted West Hawaii’s Best Shopping Center for 11 years, the property regularly holds free, family-friendly community events including monthly artisan markets featuring locally made products. For additional information about Kona Commons visit
www.konacommons.com.
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KONA, HAWAI`I – Learners of all ages are invited to Kona Commons Shopping Center in Kailua Kona on Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for a day of astronomy and natural sciences. Sponsored by the Maunakea Observatories, this free, open-air event is an opportunity for the community to meet with scientists and educators and learn how Hawai`i contributes to new and amazing discoveries in astronomy. This year the event will be held in the former Old Navy store space.