GeminiFocus October 2014 | Page 28

Peter Michaud gAstronomy and Exoplanets Gemini’s Principal Investigators have many passions that go far beyond astronomical research. Here we learn how Principal Investigator Steve Howell is working with culinary master Bill Yosses to connect gastronomy to the study of exoplanets — and how they whipped up an exotic blend of tasty science and alien treats for Gemini North’s local host community. The Gemini user community is a diverse and creative lot. This becomes even more evident when you start to uncover their interests and hobbies. DSSI’s Principal Investigator Steve Howell shows a nine year old how to create exoplanet slime. Last July, for instance, Steve Howell, one of Gemini’s most creative and imaginative Principal Investigators (PIs), brought the Differential Speckle Survey Instrument (DSSI) to Gemini North for the second time as a visiting instrument. Before arriving, Howell, who also serves as Project Scientist for NASA’s Kepler Planet Finding Mission, mentioned that he and Bill Yosses (an esteemed former White House Executive Pastry Chief ) are working together to find ways to connect gastronomy to the environments suspected on exoplanets. Howell explained, “The same science principles astronomers use to understand alien worlds are also used to create marvels of culinary delight.” Janice Harvey, who leads Gemini’s local outreach programming in Hawai‘i, thought the idea was not only an extremely intriguing marriage of topics but also an appetizing concept for a new outreach program for Gemini’s local community in Hawai‘i. With that in mind, Harvey immediately cooked up a partnership with the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Education Center in Hilo, and hatched an exotic community outreach program. 26 GeminiFocus October 2014