Astronomy on Tap Hawai’i: September 9th, 2026

Astronomy on Tap Hawaiʻi is back on Wednesday, September 9th from 7–9 pm at Hale Kanikapila! Join us for a night of astronomy, drinks, trivia, and prizes with two incredible speakers.

Rena Lee (University of Hawaiʻi) presents*“Exploring Extreme Earths,”* a deep dive into ultra-short-period planets. Ultra-short-period planets (USPs) are Earth-sized planets with orbital periods less than a single day. This makes for some extreme surface temperatures and surface environments in these hellish worlds. Since true Earth analogs on yearly orbits are still difficult to find with our leading technologies, USPs are our best bet for probing terrestrial planet compositions, formation pathways, and evolution. Using state-of-the-art instrumentation atop MaunaKea, Rena and team have discovered several USP systems that provide key insights into the origins of our own planet.

Peter Michaud recently retired after 27 years as Education and Engagement Manager at NSF’s NOIRLab/Gemini, but still leads public tours of the Gemini Observatory. He’s traveled the world to witness 7 total solar eclipses so far, with #8 planned for the Mediterranean in August 2027. In his talk, Peter will share his passion for eclipses: they show up everywhere, from music and art to the discovery of planetary systems beyond our own solar system. Yet few people understand the different types of eclipses, or why some travelers become fanatical about chasing rare total solar eclipses. Come learn how you can become an “eclipseophile” and travel the world to bask in the shadow of the moon!