Press Release: Astronomy Discussion at University of Hawaii

By Dr. Gary Davis
Friday, Aug 1st at 9:30 PDT
Institute for Astronomy - U. Hawaii Astronomy Ampitheater: Astronomy Ampitheater:
Alliance, Chaminade University (49, 205, 4002)

In a continuation of the British presence in Hawaii, two of the telescopes on Mauna Kea are owned by the United Kingdom: the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope and the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope. Opened in 1979 and 1987, respectively, both telescopes observe the heavens using forms of light which cannot be seen with the naked eye. In this talk I will describe why we do this challenging type of astronomy, why we come to Maunakea to do it, what we have achieved here over the last three decades, and the imminent withdrawal of the UK from Hawaii. Along the way I may also reflect on the importance of astronomy and why science is such a powerful approach to understanding the world in which we live.