Based at the University of California, Santa Cruz, the Shadow the Scientists (StS) initiative aims to offer immersive virtual learning experiences for students of all ages that spark their interest in STEAM careers and strengthen their foundational skills and knowledge necessary for success in those professions.
We also host sessions open to the public to foster community awareness and appreciation for the vital research happening across STEAM fields.
Our sessions allow participants to engage with university and industry professionals while exploring how STEAM topics relate to real-world issues and community challenges.
Check out our YouTube channel to explore previous sessions.
MegaCam Eyes Wide Open on the Sky at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope
August 18th | 5 AM Hawai’i Standard Time
Dedicated Session
University of Toronto Students
The Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope (CFHT) is a 3.6-meter telescope atop Maunakea, equipped with five optical and near-infrared instruments. Its most popular instrument, MegaCam, is a wide-field imager that captures one-square-degree views of the sky, revealing objects ranging from asteroids and planets to nebulae and distant galaxies.
In this session, participants will see how MegaCam is used in Queued Service Observing mode from CFHT’s remote control room in Waimea, weather permitting. Our Remote Observers handle every step, including checking the summit weather, ensuring observatory safety, pointing the telescope, conducting science observations, and preparing the nightly report. If conditions allow, participants may also be able to observe the end-of-night shutdown procedures.
We welcome all of you to study space with us!
Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/J. Pollard
Exploring the Universe with the Gemini North Telescope
August 19th | 7:30 PM Hawai’i Standard Time
Dedicated Session
California-Hawai‘i Astronomy Mentorship Program Participants
Get ready for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge astronomical research during a live observing session with the Gemini North telescope, located near the summit of Maunakea on Hawai‘i Island. While the telescope operates high above the clouds, the observations will be conducted remotely from the control room at the Hilo Base Facility.
This special session for students in the California-Hawai‘i Astronomy Mentorship Program (CHAMP) includes shadowing live nighttime observing, meeting Gemini staff, and learning about the observing model, proposal process, telescope capabilities, and technical aspects of observing. Participants will also have time to interact with staff and ask questions about science, the observatory, and more.
Unlike classical observing, Gemini operates in queue mode, with staff conducting observations for researchers worldwide and adapting in real time to weather, program needs, and unexpected events. This allows for a wide range of targets on any given night, from exoplanets and transient phenomena to galaxies at the edge of the universe.
The instruments available to the science team during this session include the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS), MAROON-X, and the second generation of the Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrograph (IGRINS-2). Both MAROON-X and IGRINS-2 are, among other capabilities, able to detect Earth-like planets in the habitable zone of nearby low mass stars.
Don’t miss this chance to go beyond the stars and discover how astronomers unlock the secrets of the universe in real time!
Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/P. Horálek (Institute of Physics in Opava)
A Close Encounter with an Interstellar Visitor from Gemini South
August 27th | 12:30 PM Hawai’i Standard Time
3:30 PM Pacific | 6:30 PM Chilean Standard Time
10:30 PM UT
Less than two months ago, astronomers using telescopes in Chile, Hawai‘i, and worldwide spotted only the third known interstellar object to pass through our solar system. This visitor, known originally as 3I/ATLAS, is a comet that is likely 100s of yards/meters in diameter, and is currently traveling through the solar system at more than 100,000 miles/kilometers per hour.
Participants will get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at astronomical research during a live observing virtual session with the Gemini South telescope, located on the summit of Cerro Pachon in Chile. In this special session, Gemini South astronomers will be attempting to take some of the last observations of 3I/ATLAS before it disappears behind the sun as it makes its closest approach to our parent star.
The observing team hopes to detect the chemical signatures of gas being emitted by the comet, which will help to determine its properties and composition. The Gemini South observing team will be joined by Gemini North staff, outreach staff, and University of Hawai’i Mānoa Professor Karen Meech, a world expert in comets and interstellar visitors.
Participants can shadow the observations in-person from the Visitor Information Station on Maunakea or virtually via Zoom. In addition to shadowing live nighttime observing, they will also have plenty of time to interact with experts and ask questions about science, the observatory, or anything else! Staff will also be providing lessons and activities related to 3I/ATLAS and other interstellar objects.
Don’t miss this chance to get the closest look yet of this enigmatic interstellar visitor!
MegaCam Eyes Wide Open on the Sky at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope
August 28th | 4:15 AM Hawaii Standard Time
August 28 | 7:45 PM Indian Standard Time
Dedicated Session
Lodha Genius Program Students
The Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope (CFHT) is a 3.6-meter telescope atop Maunakea, equipped with five optical and near-infrared instruments. Its most popular instrument, MegaCam, is a wide-field imager that captures one-square-degree views of the sky, revealing objects ranging from asteroids and planets to nebulae and distant galaxies.
In this session, participants will see how MegaCam is used in Queued Service Observing mode from CFHT’s remote control room in Waimea, weather permitting. Our Remote Observers handle every step, including checking the summit weather, ensuring observatory safety, pointing the telescope, conducting science observations, and preparing the nightly report. If conditions allow, participants may also be able to observe the end-of-night shutdown procedures.
Please join us to learn about how we study space with MegaCam at CFHT!
Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/J. Fuentes
Exploring the Universe with the Gemini North Telescope
August 31st | 7:30 PM Hawai’i Standard Time
September 1st| 5:30 AM UT
On the night following the Tanabata Block Party, an event hosted in Hilo by the Maunakea Observatories, ‘Imilioa, and the University of Hawai’i, Shadow the Scientists will be offering an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge astronomical research during a live observing virtual session with the Gemini North telescope, located near the summit of Maunakea on Hawai‘i Island. While the telescope operates high above the clouds, the observations will be conducted remotely from the control room at the Hilo Base Facility.
For this session, participants can shadow the observations in person from the Visitor Information Station on Maunakea or virtually via Zoom. In addition to shadowing live nighttime observing, attendees will also have plenty of time to interact with experts and ask questions about science, the observatory, or anything else!
Unlike classical observing, Gemini operates in queue mode, with staff conducting observations for researchers worldwide and adapting in real time to weather, program needs, and unexpected events. This allows for a wide range of targets on any given night, from exoplanets and transient phenomena to galaxies at the edge of the universe.
The instruments available to the science team during this session include the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS), MAROON-X, and the second generation of the Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrograph (IGRINS-2). Both MAROON-X and IGRINS-2 are, among other capabilities, able to detect Earth-like planets in the habitable zone of nearby low mass stars.
Don’t miss this chance to go to and beyond the stars and discover how astronomers unlock the secrets of the universe in real time!
StS terms and conditions of engagement:
Please read the following as it gives some insight into how the evening will be structured.
- Please treat others on the Zoom call with utmost respect at all times. There is a zero tolerance policy for violations. Violators will be removed from the Zoom call and future StS sessions.
- Please keep in mind at all times that the primary purpose of the StS session is for the research team (e.g., team of astronomers) to collect scientific data. Please be respectful of their time and concentration.
- For the adults joining us, please try to have your Zoom name reflect your full name and school/group affiliation [e.g., Raja GuhaThakurta (UCSC)]. For minors, because this event is open to the public, please feel free to use nicknames unless you have permission from parents or guardians to use your full name.
- After joining the Zoom session, you will be muted, but please feel free to type a short introduction about yourself into the chat.
- Until the scientists have some down time and can directly interface with the rest of the group on the Zoom call, please feel free to type questions and comments in the chat. Once the scientists are speaking with the group, please use the “raise hand” feature in Zoom, if youʻd like to speak.
- Please be aware that the StS Zoom call will be recorded, including the chat window, and both may be posted to YouTube in whole or in part for others to view. By joining the Zoom call, you are consenting to being recorded and for the recording to be posted.
- Please be cognizant of your video feed. Because the focus is on the science being done, please feel free to keep your video off during the Zoom call..
- Enjoy!