Astronomers from the University of 麻豆传媒’s are playing a key role in the first program in the world of its kind to provide observing time on a world-class telescope for 麻豆传媒’s aspiring young astronomers.
Institute for Astronomy graduate students Kelly Blumenthal and Evan Sinukoff have been working with and students as part of the Maunakea Scholars Program, a partnership between the and the . The mentors are helping the students to design proposals in a competition for observing time on the (CFHT) on Maunakea. The program was initiated by CFHT and .
“I think a program like this is particularly important in 麻豆传媒,” said Blumenthal. “The telescopes on Maunakea, and all the scientists, engineers and technicians that keep the facilities running, are such an incredible educational resource to the islands. The Maunakea Scholars program gets local students involved in a truly authentic research experience in their own backyard.”
The UH astronomers have been an integral part of the process, according to Kapolei High School teacher Naidah Gamurot, who noted that the students did not know what a proposal should look like until Blumenthal shared a copy of one of her proposals with them.
“The academic part was important because it was information I didn’t possess,” said Gamurot, “But I think the emotional experiences shared were the most valuable to the students. To know that these astronomers went through some of the same doubts, fears and exhaustion that they were experiencing gave (the students) the confidence and boost they needed to re-dedicate themselves to their proposals.”
Winning student teams are being awarded telescope observing time in ceremonies at Kapolei High School and Waiakea High School in March. Students will also have the opportunity to visit the telescopes at the science reserve atop Maunakea for an in-depth look at the science and technology taking place there.
Mentor Evan Sinukoff says he wishes he had had the same opportunity as a high school student. “I hope to make science less intimidating for young students and show them that they are capable of big ideas and meaningful discoveries,” Sinukoff said. “It was inspiring to see their creative ideas.”
Maunakea Observatories is a collaborative of independent institutions with telescopes located on Maunakea on the island of 麻豆传媒. The group has made Maunakea the most scientifically productive site for astronomy worldwide.
—By Kelli Trifonovitch