Earth’s average temperature has risen by 1.4 degrees during the past century and it is projected to rise an additional 2 to 11.5 degrees during the next 100 years. If global warming continues at this rate, and if the Earth
Earth’s average temperature has risen by 1.4 degrees during the past century and it is projected to rise an additional 2 to 11.5 degrees during the next 100 years. If global warming continues at this rate, and if the Earth becomes uninhabitable, what will mankind do?
If forced to relocate, what planet would be most habitable: Mars, Venus or a planet outside the solar system?
Discover answers to these questions as Dr. Nobuo Arimoto, director of Subaru Telescope/National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, describes the potential consequences of global warming in April’s Maunakea Skies program at 7 p.m. Friday at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center.
Arimoto will lead a planetarium tour of the solar system and beyond, highlighting discoveries made by Subaru Telescope. He also will discuss exoplanets, or extrasolar planets, which are planets outside our solar system that orbit a star other than the sun.
Since the first discovery of exoplanets in 1988, more than 2,000 have been identified. Using Subaru Telescope’s large 8.2-meter (27 feet) diameter primary mirror and pioneering technologies, coupled with superb observation conditions of Mauna Kea, Hawaii-based astronomers have discovered dozens of them.
April’s Maunakea Skies will feature these ongoing efforts to find exoplanets. As director of the Subaru Telescope, Arimoto focuses his scientific research on understanding galaxy evolution and the properties of individual stars within galaxies.
‘Imiloa’s monthly Maunakea Skies planetarium presentations take place the third Friday of each month. General admission tickets are $10 or $8 for members (member-level discounts apply). Pre-purchase tickets at the ‘Imiloa front desk or by phone at 932-8901.
The ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center is located at 600 ‘Imiloa Place on the upper campus of the University of Hawaii at Hilo. For more information, visit ImiloaHawaii.org.
