Hawai'i Teens Name 200M-Light-Year Galaxy
Students in Project Hōkūlani program choose 'The Twin Spirits Pulling Together Creating Life' for galaxy pair NGC 7253, 4 million light-years apart
A group of Hawai'i high school students participating in the Project Hōkūlani internship program have named an image of the galaxy pair NGC 7253, captured by the Gemini North telescope, as Nā ʻUhane Māhoe Huki Pū i ke Ola, which translates to 'The Twin Spirits Pulling Together Creating Life'.
The galaxy pair NGC 7253 is located over 200 million light-years away in the constellation Ka Lupe o Kawelo (Pegasus). The pair is separated by a distance of about four million light-years.
The image of NGC 7253 was captured by the Gemini North telescope on Maunakea in Hawai'i, which is operated by NSF NOIRLab.
The Project Hōkūlani internship program involved students from Waiākea High School, the Volcano School of Arts and Sciences, Keaʻau High School, and Kamehameha Schools. The creation of the image began in October 2025 with three local students participating in the Project Hōkūlani internship. Three more local students joined the program in June 2026.
## Why it matters The naming of the galaxy pair NGC 7253 by the high school students is significant as it highlights the importance of involving young people in scientific research and exploration. The Project Hōkūlani internship program provides students with hands-on experience in astronomy and allows them to contribute to real-world scientific projects. The discovery of the galaxy pair NGC 7253 also sheds light on the vastness and complexity of the universe, with the pair being located over 200 million light-years away from Earth.
The name Nā ʻUhane Māhoe Huki Pū i ke Ola, given to the galaxy pair, reflects the cultural and linguistic heritage of Hawai'i, and demonstrates the connection between traditional knowledge and modern scientific discovery.
The image of the galaxy pair NGC 7253, captured by the Gemini North telescope, offers a unique glimpse into the universe, and the naming of the image by the high school students serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and promoting cultural and scientific knowledge for future generations.
