Get a ‘Guide to the Universe’ at ‘Imiloa

‘Imiloa Astronomy Center’s live planetarium program “3-D Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe,” uses the 3-D stereoscopic projection system at the ‘Imiloa planetarium to create a journey though some of the most fascinating subjects in astronomy.

The next program is 7 p.m. today and features interests sourced from the audience.

Chris Phillips, ‘Imiloa’s planetarium operator, will host the evening presentation as he “flies” participants into space on a unique and engaging tour.

For this latest version of the popular evening live planetarium show, the content topics of exploration will be determined by crowd sourcing from polls taken on the ‘Imiloa Facebook page.

“The audience will jump off Earth and explore ideas, like dark matter in the universe, or the local neighborhood of our solar system, all dependent on our feedback from those contributing online,” Phillips said. “This is a great way to garner the interests of the community regarding what they would like to explore in this planetarium program.”

The show continues outward and might visit other star systems with planets, or fly through the Orion Nebula, explore globular clusters and even peek into the center of our galaxy. This grand voyage through time and space uses new imagery from data gleaned from the Mauna Kea observatories.

To participate in ‘Imiloa’s poll, visit www.facebook.com/imiloaastronomycenter.

Cost is $8 for Kupuna, Individual, Dual and Family members; $6 for Patron Members; free for Silver, Gold and Corporate Members. Non-member rate is $10. Prepurchase tickets at the ‘Imiloa front desk or by phone at 969-9703. Tickets may be prepurchased at the ‘Imiloa front desk or by calling (808) 969-9703.

‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii is located at 600 ‘Imiloa Place in Hilo, off Komohana and Nowelo streets at the UH-Hilo Science and Technology Park.

For more information, go to www.imiloahawaii.org or call (808) 969-9700.