"Astro Day" was held at a shopping mall in Hilo, Hawaiʻi for three days from April 30th to May 2nd, 2021, and the Subaru Telescope participated as a member of the Maunakea observatories. It was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this year it was carried out in an attempt to meet the expectations of the locals, avoiding direct contact between the observatory staff and visitors as much as possible. More than 100 bags containing information about the Subaru Telescope and a kit that allows children to experience something related to astronomy while playing were prepared in advance and handed over to the children through shopping mall shops clerks during those three days.
Inside the bags prepared by the Subaru Telescope there were bracelet kits using beads that react to ultraviolet rays (UV), DVDs, stickers, and postcards of the Subaru Telescope to help the children understand the wavelengths used for observation and system of the telescope, and the children enjoyed it. UV beads change color temporarily in the sun with UV light unless you apply sunscreen on them, or hold your sunglasses over them. Many kids made their own bracelets, went out and enjoyed the changing colors of the beads. In addition, we printed the QR code on the pamphlets distributed so that the children can access the "Introduction video of work with the Subaru Telescope" posted on YouTube.
Figure 2: The pamphlet with a QR code to access the "Introduction video of work with the Subaru Telescope" (Credit: Subaru Telescope)
Carolyn Kaichi, event coordinator at the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawaiʻi, said, "I am grateful to all the observatories for participating in and cooperating with this year's Astro Day, which was held in a different way. Many people participated, and on the afternoon of the first day, most of the Astro Day kits and bags were gone and it was a great success."
This year's Astro Day was held in a slightly different way due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was a safe and enjoyable way to interact with local people.
Guidelines for Use