(BIVN) – Prince Kuhio Plaza was filled with a celebration of astronomical sciences, honoring international Astronomy Day and marking the 16th annual AstroDay in Hilo. The event included over 40 exhibits, demonstrations, activity areas and musical performances.

The event was produced by the Maunakea Astronomy Outreach Committee, a collaborative group of astronomy community
representatives.

“Our hands-on, live science demos created whole new ways for keiki to learn about the universe around us,” said Carolyn Kaichi, education/outreach specialist for the University of Hawai‘i Institute for Astronomy at Hilo, in a media release. “We had so much fun today, exploring science and celebrating discovery together as a community.”

This year’s AstroDay also featured representatives from the statewide astronomy community. “Two new additions included the cutting-edge Maui observatory Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST), alongside the Maui Science Center,” organizers wrote. “The interactive science activities on stage throughout the day had audience members modeling space suits, making comets, hunting for exoplanets and observing experiments with liquid nitrogen.”

Jadelyn Fernando, a senior at Kea’au High School, submitted the winning design for the Maunakea coin contest, an annual AstroDay tradition.