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.
Credit: J. Marshall
International Observe the Moon Night: Looking for Helium in the Moon’s Exosphere
October 4th | 7:00 PM HST | 10 PM Pacific
Celebrate International Observe the Moon Night with us! Join us in person at the Maunakea Visitor Information Station or connect online by registering to attend virtually.
Learn why helium is important, how it gets to the Moon, and what it can teach us about lunar science and future exploration. From viewing craters and eclipses from home to viewing the Moon from space, this interactive event is designed for curious minds of all ages and will include live lunar observing. You’ll get to ask your questions and engage in a real-time conversation with our subject matter expert, UTSA PhD student Patrice Smith.
Be part of a global gathering of sky-watchers as we celebrate the wonders of the Moon!
Credit: Newman et al. Visualizations of the IGM tomography and galaxy density maps in the three LATIS survey fields.
Astronomy Night with the C3VO Team:
Hunting Giants at the Edge of the Universe
October 7th | 9:30 PM HST
October 8th | 12:30 AM Pacific
Astronomy Night with Dr. Brian Lemaux (Gemini-N/NOIRLab), Dr. Roy Gal (Institute for Astronomy, UH), Dr. Ben Forrest (University of California, Davis), Mr. Finn Giddings (Institute for Astronomy, UH), and Mr. Joel Diamond (College of Charleston)
The team will use the Multi-Object InfraRed Camera and Spectrograph (MOIRCS) on the Subaru telescope at Maunakea to study suspected large matter structures formed when the universe was about 20% of its current age. First suggested by the Lyα Tomography IMACS Survey (LATIS), these regions show vast reservoirs of cool hydrogen gas but, intriguingly, few galaxies.
The team, which consists of team members from the Charting Cluster Construction with VUDS and ORELSE (C3VO) survey, will combine these observations with past and future data from multiple telescopes, including Subaru and Magellan. They will search for missing galaxies, track their star formation, and understand how galaxies are transformed as they assemble into massive structures in the early Universe.
Join us as we explore the nature of these mysterious structures!
Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/J. Chu/J. Pollard
Exploring the Universe with the Gemini North Telescope
October 8th | 7:30 PM HST | 10:30 PM Pacific
The observing team will be using the Gemini North telescope located near the summit of Maunakea on the island of Hawai`i, with the observations taking place remotely from the control room in the Hilo Base Facility. As opposed to “classical” observing nights that have been featured in most of the previous StS sessions, Gemini Observatory utilizes queue observing mode in which Gemini staff take observations on behalf of science teams from all over the world.
On any given night, Gemini staff determine the conditions on the ground and in the sky and the scientific priorities and choose from a pool of scientific programs to observe. This means anything could be observed on any night! Targets for this session could range from asteroids in our solar system, massive stars, and distant galaxies to supernovae and even gamma-ray bursts.
Come along for this cosmic adventure as we explore the universe and share its wonders!
Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/Shadow the Scientists
Image Processing: J. Miller & M. Rodriguez (International Gemini Observatory/NSF NOIRLab), T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF NOIRLab), M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab)
Exploring Comet 3I/ATLAS
October 15th | 5 AM HST | 8:30 PM IST
Dedicated Session for the Lodha Genius Program Participants
Join us for a live, virtual astronomy session with astronomer J.D. Armstrong. You’ll learn how astronomers use the Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) to program observations and choose targets.
We’ll dive into the mystery of interstellar comet 3I by comparing its spectra to other objects, including a Sun-like star, to understand what its “colors” reveal. In the final minutes, we’ll even check in to see if our own observation request was successful!
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!