During a span of 40 years since Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope was built in the late 1970s, much has changed on planet Earth.
With the passage of two generations, this world has experienced cellphones, the internet, supercomputers, segmented mirror technology, adaptive optics, dark energy, black holes, gravitational waves, Pluto’s demotion, Twitter, the end of the Cold War and much more.
However, one of the things that remained constant is CFHT’s importance to modern astronomy.
Join the observatory’s executive director, Doug Simons, at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, where he will share CHFT’s 40-year journey, all its accomplishments and future plans.
Tickets are $8 for ‘Imiloa members and $10 for non-members.
As a leading research facility used by astronomers worldwide, seminal observations at CFHT crucially supported various groundbreaking findings such as the discovery of the largest form of energy in the universe (dark energy), the first detections of cosmic gravitational lenses that paved the way to mapping dark matter throughout the universe, the tracking of the first interstellar asteroid (‘Oumuamua) as it sped through our solar system and more.
CFHT’s ability to remain competitive because of many factors, including a site that is second to none, a staff that is far beyond being simply “dedicated,” a research community that is incredibly innovative, novel instrumentation and, perhaps most importantly, a willingness to take risks.
Today CFHT’s five instruments, which operate from ultraviolet to infrared wavelengths, and ability to conduct enormous surveys of the universe enable a steady stream of discoveries. It has reached a record-breaking number of publications within its 40-year history — currently exceeding 200 papers per year.
CFHT’s overall “science impact” in astronomy is ranked second worldwide. Its astronomy education and outreach program is among the leaders in Hawaii.
The story behind CFHT’s successes and plans to propel forward with a quantum leap in technology will be covered in the Maunakea Skies presentation.
Simons received his bachelor of science degree in astronomy from the California Institute of Technology in 1985 and received his doctorate in astronomy from the University of Hawaii in 1990. Before working as a staff astronomer at CFHT for four years, he worked at the Gemini 8 Meter Telescope Project as the systems scientist.
He then became the associate director for development at Gemini’s instrumentation program for many years before becoming the Gemini Observatory director from 2006-11. He returned to CFHT in 2012.
He is an avid supporter of education and community outreach and has helped develop numerous programs including EnVision Maunakea, Maunakea Fund and Maunakea Scholars.
For more information, visit www.ImiloaHawaii.org or call 932-8901.
