PUKALANI - The University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy will hold a first anniversary open house at Maikalani, the IfA's Maui Advanced Technology Research Center, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 12, The Maui News reported today.

The program will include "Ask a Scientist," an opportunity to have an expert answer questions on astronomy and the technology involved in studying the cosmos, according to an IfA announcement.

Activities are planned for all ages, with talks on new discoveries, demonstrations, viewing through telescopes and tours of the laboratory where new observatory instruments are designed and fabricated.

Maikalani ("from the heavens") is the support facility for IfA observatories on the Haleakala summit, including the Mees Solar Observatory and the Solar C coronagraph, the Faulkes Telescope Project and the newly installed Pan-STARRS PS1 prototype facility.

It was officially opened on Sept. 15 last year with an open house that drew a crowd of teachers and students as well as the general public.

Admission to the open house is free.

The center is at 34 Ohia Ku St. in Kulamalu Town Center. Parking is available on the street.

For information, call 573-9500 or go online to www.ifa.hawaii.edu/haleakala/.