Astronomy from the Moon: Hawaíi 21st Century Astrophysics
Abstract
World class observatories in Hawaíi make the islands a strategic center for Galaxy / Stars observation and awareness. As such, International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA) of Kamuela HI, 501(c)3 nonprofit founded 2007, is working to advance Hawaíi as a leader in astronomy, exploration and navigation into the next Century via its lunar observatory program and 5 Moon missions. Through observation from the Moon surface, ILOA plans to conduct its First Light Imaging Program, obtain the first-ever image of the Galaxy center from the Moon, collect data on Galaxy / Stars, perform long-duration, high-resolution observation of Earth meteorology, magnetosphere and rotation. Astronomy from the Moon, from an ILOA global-interglobal Headquarters based in Kamuela, could enhance and complement the magnificent complex of Mauna Kea observatories; generate many long-range and significant projects with Hawaíi scientists and educators; interact with the World Peace Park transcending vision of Hawaíi Mayor Harry Kim; encourage, support and learn from Hawaíian culture and traditions of way-finding, voyaging and star studies; and spread Aloha to the Moon and into the Galaxy. ILOA has collaborated with Canada-France-Hawaíi Telescope for over a decade, including a 2004 MoU. ILOA Galaxy Forum and other collaborations have included Subaru Telescope, Gemini North, W. M. Keck Observatory, EAO / JCMT, Smithsonian SMA, VLBA, NASA IRTF, and UHH. The ILOA Lunar Astronomy Team involving UH Hilo and CFHT scientists helped process Chang'e-3 Lunar Ultraviolet Telescope (LUT) data. Future Moon mission observations / astrophysics data from ILOA will first be shared with Hawaíi researchers and students. 2019 Astronomy from the Moon continues to expand as a promising new frontier for astronomy in the 21st century and as an early 'light industry' for the Moon. China is pioneering with near-side LUT on Chang'e-3 and lunar far-side Netherlands-China Low Frequency Explorer on Chang'e-4, almost a half-century after Apollo 16 commander John Young operated a Far-UV spectrograph camera. Indian astrophysicists have expressed interest in lunar-based astronomy, as have astronomers in Europe, Japan, Russia, Canada, Korea.
- Publication:
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American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #235
- Pub Date:
- January 2020
- Bibcode:
- 2020AAS...23516007D