Galaxies in the UKIDSS UDS pencil beam survey displayed on the `Imiloa planetarium dome against the microwave background radiation.
Issued by: Inge Heyer, Science Outreach Specialist
Joint Astronomy Centre
Email: outreach@jach.hawaii.edu
Tel: +1 808 969 6524
Fax: +1 808 961 6516
Images, notes, and contact details appear below.
16 December 2008
When observatories and planetaria get together to share discoveries, magic will happen. What starts out as many tiny astronomical images with location coordinates can become an amazing learning tool for astronomers and the public.
The United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) on Mauna Kea in Hawai`i is currently engaged in the most ambitious infrared sky survey ever undertaken, the UKIRT Infrared Deep Sky Survey (UKIDSS). For the past three years UKIRT has been systematically scanning the heavens for five different "colours" of faint infrared light. This survey is scheduled to continue for another four years.
As part of this survey, UKIRT is looking for very far away faint galaxies. The expansion of the Universe stretches visible light from the most distant (and youngest) galaxies and quasars into the infrared part of the spectrum, and by observing this infrared light we can trace the evolution of galaxies from their youngest members.
To share these results with the scientific community and the public, the UKIRT astronomers have been working with the planetarium at the `Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo, Hawai`i, to display them in 3-D. This planetarium offers the world's first full-dome 3-D stereoscopic presentation of astronomical data, which presents a powerful tool to visualize and share discoveries.
The image below shows data from the UKIDSS Ultra-Deep Survey (UDS) displayed on `Imiloa's planetarium dome. The cosmic background radiation is displayed behind it. This data has to date generated almost 60,000 distance measurements for these far-away galaxies. As the UKIDSS survey continues, more data will be added. The long pencil beam in the picture shows the galaxies at their relative distances in this field. Given the 3-D nature of the data, the planetarium's software allows us to fly along and through this field of galaxies. Flying "back home" through these tens of thousands of galaxies is a beautiful experience, and it gives us a measure of how much there is to be explored in our Universe.
Galaxies in the UKIDSS UDS pencil beam survey displayed on the `Imiloa planetarium dome against the microwave background radiation.
The `Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo, Hawai`i.
The United Kingdom Infrared Telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii.
One light year is about 10 million million kilometres or 6 million million miles.
Infrared wavelengths are longer wavelengths than light waves. They are typically measured in microns, also called micrometres. One micron is one millionth of a metre, one 10000th of a centimetre, or one 25000th of an inch.
The world's largest telescope dedicated solely to infrared astronomy, the 3.8-metre (12.5-foot) UK Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) is sited near the summit of Mauna Kea, Hawaii, at an altitude of 4194 metres (13760 feet) above sea level. It is operated by the Joint Astronomy Centre in Hilo, Hawaii, on behalf of the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council. UKIRT's technical innovation and privileged position on the high, dry Mauna Kea site have placed it at the forefront of infrared astronomy since its opening in 1979. UKIRT is currently engaged in a world-leading infrared sky survey as well as the type of innovative individual programmes described in this press release. More about the UK Infrared Telescope: http://outreach.jach.hawaii.edu/articles/aboutukirt/
The Science and Technology Facilities Council is an independent, non-departmental public body of the Office of Science and Innovation which itself is part of the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills. It was formed as a new Research Council on 1 April 2007 through a merger of the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (CCLRC) and the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) and the transfer of responsibility for nuclear physics from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). We are one of seven national research councils in the UK. The Science and Technology Facilities Council is government funded and provides research grants and studentships to scientists in British universities, gives researchers access to world-class facilities and funds the UK membership of international bodies such as the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, CERN, the European Space Agency and the European Southern Observatory. It also contributes money for the UK telescopes overseas on La Palma, Hawaii, Australia and in Chile, the UK Astronomy Technology Centre at the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh and the MERLIN/VLBI National Facility.
`Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai`i tells dual stories of the renowned Maunakea volcano, with its world-famous astronomy and rich traditions of Hawaiian culture. `Imiloa, which means "exploring new knowledge," reflects both the Hawaiian voyages of discovery and the explorations of astronomy. Located on a nine-acre campus above the University of Hawai`i-Hilo, with spectacular views of Hilo Bay, `Imiloa Astronomy Center provides a unique experience for visitors, students, and families seeking to explore the connections between Hawaiian cultural traditions and the science of astronomy. Framed by a rich Polynesian tradition of exploration,`Imiloa is Hawai`i's premier facility for interpreting the deepest mysteries of the Universe, being unraveled by the Maunakea observatories -- the world's largest and most important collection of telescopes. `Imiloa inspires and educates, helping us to connect with our origins while we reach for the stars. `Imiloa features interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, group tours, a wonderful store, a cafe, and a full schedule of events.
