The CFH Telescope on Maunakea ft Mary Beth

Introduction:

• Mary Beth Laychak is the Director of Strategic Communications for the Canada France Hawaii Telescope (CFHT)
• The Canada France Hawaii Telescope is 4m in diameter and can see in optical/infrared wavelengths
• The CFHT resides on Maunakea in Hawaii
• This is one of the best locations on Earth for astronomy
• From on top of the mountain, they also create mesmerizing time-lapse videos!

Science with the CFHT:

• There are 5 primary instruments that the CFHT takes photos with:
  • MegaCam takes large pretty pictures
  • WIRCam helps astronomers see the universe in a different light
  • ESPaDOnS breaks light into a rainbow for detailed studies of a single object
  • SITELLE can turn these rainbows into a movie to understand the movement and makeup of material in each image
  • SPIRou is new and hunts for exoplanets using careful measurements of star movements
• Mary Beth is involved in many outreach programs:
  • Maunakea scholars gives students a chance to use the Maunakea telescopes
  • CFHT has a Facebook page
  • Videos about cool science, virtual star parties, updates about CFHT, and more
  • MKO@Home has cool science to do at home

The Future:

• CHFT is planning an upgrade to the MSE
• The Maunakea Observatories are working together to connect with the community and to protect the rare Maunakea environment
• Going forward the Maunakea observatories plan to integrate more Hawaiian names into new astronomical discoveries such as Oumuamua

Links to Science Outreach Material:

• Canada France Hawaii Telescope
• McDonald Institute
• Royal Astronomical Society
• Astronomy on Tap

Special thanks to Colin Vendromin for the music, also thanks to Zac Kenny for the logo!