NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) published an image titled “Nā ʻUhane Māhoe Huki Pū i ke Ola” on September 4, 2026. This name in the Hawaiʻi language describes two spiral galaxies merging under the influence of each other’s gravity. The pair, known as NGC 7253 and Arp 278, lies approximately 200 million light-years away in the direction of Pegasus and was imaged with the 8.1-meter Gemini North telescope on Maunakea. The galaxies were selected, researched and named by high school students participating in the joint Project Hōkūlani internship program of the Gemini Observatory and the University of Hawaiʻi. The name means “Twin Spirits Creating Life by Pulling Together.” The mergers are triggering star formation. The pair is located in the Ka Lupe o Kawelo region. The APOD website is moving to science.nasa.gov/apod.
Why it matters
This content shows how astronomical data produced by a major observatory is being brought into public science communication through the participation of high school students in the research and naming process. Under Project Hōkūlani, students are involved not only in selecting the image but also in examining the scientific significance of the galaxy merger and establishing a cultural framework in the Hawaiʻi language. The fact that the mergers trigger star formation makes the image more than a representation of the two galaxies’ formal proximity, turning it into an example that conveys how galaxies change over time. The emphasis on the name in the Hawaiʻi language and on the Ka Lupe o Kawelo region connects the observation on Maunakea with the language and culture of the place where it was made. The relocation of APOD to a new address affects readers’ access to the content; how old links will function is not specified.
Background
September is not a new name in the FikirPilot archive: we published 3 news reports mentioning this name in the last 90 days; the latest is dated September 1, 2026.