Latest news with #Hawaii
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- General
- RNZ News
Possible new dwarf planet spotted near the edge of the solar system
By Will Dunham , Reuters An artist's impression of Planet Nine. Photo: Caltech Scientists have identified an object about 700km wide inhabiting the frigid outer reaches of our solar system that might qualify as a dwarf planet, spotting it as it travels on a highly elongated orbital path around the sun. The researchers called it one of the most distant visible objects in our solar system and said its existence indicates that a vast expanse of space beyond the outermost planet Neptune and a region called the Kuiper Belt may not be deserted, as long thought. The Kuiper Belt is populated by numerous icy bodies. Given the name 2017 OF201, the object falls into a category called trans-Neptunian objects that orbit the sun at a distance beyond that of Neptune. The object takes about 25,000 years to complete a single orbit of the sun, compared to 365 days for Earth to do so. The researchers said 2017 OF201 was identified in observations by telescopes in Chile and Hawaii spanning seven years. "It is potentially large enough to qualify as a dwarf planet. Its orbit is very wide and eccentric, which means it experienced an interesting orbital migration path in the past," said astrophysicist Sihao Cheng of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, who led the study with collaborators Jiaxuan Li and Eritas Yang, graduate students at Princeton University. Its size is estimated to be a bit smaller than Ceres, which is the smallest of the solar system's five recognised dwarf planets and has a diameter of about 950km. Pluto, the largest of those dwarf planets, has a diameter of about 2377km. The mass of 2017 OF201 is estimated to be about 20,000 times smaller than Earth's and 50 times smaller than Pluto's. "We don't know the shape yet. Unfortunately, it is too far away and it is a bit difficult to resolve it with telescopes," Cheng said. "Its composition is totally unknown yet, but likely similar to other icy bodies." The discovery was announced by the Minor Planet Center of the International Astronomical Union, an international organisation of astronomers, and detailed in a study posted on the open-access research site arXiv. The study has not yet been peer-reviewed. Earth's orbital distance from the sun is called an astronomical unit. 2017 OF201 is currently located at a distance of 90.5 astronomical units from the sun, meaning 90.5 times as far as Earth. But at its furthest point during its orbit, 2017 OF201 is more than 1,600 astronomical units from the sun, while the closest point on its orbit is about 45 astronomical units. That means it sometimes is closer to the sun than Pluto, whose orbital distance ranges from 30 to 49 astronomical units as it travels an elliptical path around the sun. The researchers suspect that the extreme orbit of 2017 OF201 may have been caused by a long-ago close encounter with the gravitational influence of a giant planet. "We still don't know much about the solar system far away because currently, it is difficult to directly see things beyond about 150 astronomical units," Cheng said. "The presence of this single object suggests that there could be another hundred or so other objects with similar orbit and size. They are just too far away to be detectable right now." The five dwarf planets recognised by the International Astronomical Union are, in order of distance from the sun: Ceres, which is the largest object in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, then Pluto, Haumea, Makemake and Eris, which all orbit beyond Neptune. The organisation defines a planet and a dwarf planet differently. A planet must orbit its host star - in our case the sun - and must be mostly round and sufficiently large that its gravitational strength clears away any other objects of similar size near its orbit. A dwarf planet must orbit the sun and be mostly round but it has not cleared its orbit of other objects. Cheng said the discovery of 2017 OF201 has implications for hypotheses involving the potential existence of a ninth planet in our solar system, dubbed Planet X or Planet Nine. This is because 2017 OF201's orbit does not follow the pattern exhibited by other known trans-Neptunian objects, which tend to cluster together. Some scientists had hypothesized that such clustering was caused by the gravity of a yet-to-be-discovered planet. -Reuters
The Independent
6 hours ago
- General
- The Independent
Remember Zika virus? Hawaii confirms case after six years of no known exposures
Hawaii officials are investigating a confirmed travel-related case of Zika virus on the island of Oʻahu, reigniting concerns over the mosquito-borne illness that once made global headlines. While this means the Zika virus was not acquired on the island, two other people are also being monitored for potential exposure to the virus, the state's Department of Health said. The Independent contacted representatives from the department for more information. Hawaiian officials are also working to identify potential mosquito breeding sites and urging the public to take precautions, particularly as summer travel and tourism reach their peak. They ask that the public eliminate standing water around homes and use mosquito repellent, especially during dawn and dusk when pests are most active. Zika virus is primarily transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes, but can also be spread through sexual contact. The virus can pose significant health risks, especially for pregnant women. Symptoms of the Zika virus - including fever, rash, joint pain and red eye - are generally mild. They may go unnoticed in many cases, with only one in five people infected with Zika developing symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic. However, because symptoms can be similar to those of other mosquito-borne illnesses, such as dengue or chikungunya, proper diagnosis by a healthcare provider is essential, especially for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Hawaii last reported a travel-related Zika case in 2019, with the highest number of cases, 25, occurring in 2017 when fears of the virus dominated headlines. No locally acquired Zika cases have ever been documented in the state, the HDOH says. The Zika virus attracted international attention nearly a decade ago due to its link to severe birth defects, most notably microcephaly in infants born to mothers infected during pregnancy. The virus prompted global public health responses, especially in the Americas and Southeast Asia.
Forbes
6 hours ago
- Health
- Forbes
Fairmont Orchid: A Lush 32-Acre Retreat on Hawaii's Kohala Coast
Fairmont Orchid resort on Hawaii's Kohala Coast With recently refreshed guest rooms, several oceanfront dining destinations, and countless watersports on gorgeous Pauoa Bay — plus 32 stunning acres of lush tropical gardens and lava-studded oceanfront on the Big Island's black-lava Kohala Coast — there's a lot to love about the Fairmont Orchid. Fairmont Orchid sits on 32 acres of oceanfront property Fairmont Orchid is located on the Big Island of Hawaii, on the majestic Kohala Coast. It's a short drive from many top beaches and Pololū Valley, and about 30 minutes by car from Kona International Airport (KOA). Outrigger canoeing Resort pool A recently refreshed guest room A renovation of the resort's 540 spacious rooms and suites was completed in 2024. The refreshed decor is quietly luxurious, with a fresh color palette of whites and tans layered with soft blues and pastels. All have seating areas, spa-inspired white marble bathrooms, and private lanais overlooking the lush gardens or shimmering ocean. Fairmont Gold lounge In addition to the standard guest rooms and suites, there are also 45 ultra-luxe Fairmont Gold accommodations. Fairmont calls this VIP level their 'oasis within an oasis.' Indeed, it comes with a whole host of services and amenities that start even before you get to your room with private check-in. The Gold level also includes personal concierge, and an exclusive lounge with complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea, evening craft cocktails, and canapes — plus a well-stocked honesty bar. Brown's Beach House The resort's signature restaurant, Brown's Beach House, showcases island-inspired cuisine and spectacular sweeping ocean views — especially at sunset. The seafood-centric menus include 3- and 4-course options, as well as a la carte dishes like Kona prawns, local mahi mahi, and ti leaf-wrapped kanpachi with sweet potato, tiger shrimp, and bok choy in a coconut-orchid honey sauce. Binchotan Bar & Grill celebrates the confluence of Hawaiian and Japanese cuisines with craft cocktails, plus seafood, wagyu beef, and seasonal vegetables kissed by the flames of traditional-style robatayaki grills. Oceanfront Kahakai Bar The resort also offers guests several more casual options located throughout the extensive property. Orchid Court is the spot for breakfast and Hale Kai serves up more casual eats and cocktails under its thatched-roof huts. Kahakai Bar specializes in handmade tropical cocktails and small plates, and the popular Brown's Deli is the perfect grab-and-go option for iced coffees and matcha, morning pastries, and gourmet snacks. A thatched roof garden haler at the resort's Spa Without Walls Get pampered by booking one of the resort's oceanfront cabanas, or dreamy private thatched hales that are nestled in between waterfalls, lush orchid-filled gardens, and streams with koi and waterlilies. The Spa Without Walls menu includes Hawaiian-inspired facials, scalp and foot massages, and the signature lomi-lomi massage, which uses rhythmic massage strokes to help restore one's mana (energy). For guests who may have spent too much time basking in the sun without enough SPF, there's also the After Sun Soother, which uses a soothing gel mask made with active marine ingredients to help soothe and rehydrate the skin. Snorkeling and other water sports are available on-site Fairmont Orchid champions sustainability by eliminating single-use plastics like water bottles, straws, and individual bathroom amenities. Each guest room comes with two reusable water bottles, and refill stations are located on every floor. Every week, guests can join the Botanical Bees & Chef's Garden Tour to learn about produce grown on-site and the 80,000 bees that produce a delicious monofloral kiawe honey that is featured on the resort's menus. Oceanfront pool For more information or to book a stay, visit Fairmont Orchid.
Washington Post
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
‘Ohana' means no remake gets left behind
In today's edition: You may recall from the 15,000 times I mentioned it that I recently lived for a few years in Hawai'i, and, therefore, there was no way the new 'Lilo & Stitch' movie was going to come and go without our dedicating an episode of the 'Impromptu' podcast to it.
Screen Geek
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Screen Geek
'Lilo & Stitch' Live-Action Remake Faces Controversy
The 2025 live-action adaptation Lilo & Stitch is finally in theaters. While viewers seem to be enjoying the new film, there is some controversy in the way, specifically with the way Lilo & Stitch fans feel about the film's ending. There's absolutely difficulty in making these types of Disney adaptations. After all, some fans want to see the story they remember perfectly represented, while others hope for new changes and alterations to make a more modern interpretation. The ending of Lilo & Stitch aims for the latter, with a change that has fans in an uproar, and even the film's director, Dean Fleischer Camp, has been attempting to put out the fires on social media. Fortunately for Camp, some fans agree with his take, but it generally looks like a divisive conclusion for fans of the original film. Obvious spoilers ahead. Throughout Lilo & Stitch , fans will notice several major changes, including the absence of fan-favorite character Captain Gantu and the decision to split Agent Cobra Bubbles into two different roles. For the film's ending, however, that's where fans are apparently drawing a line. The end of the film has a major difference when compared with its animated counterpart. The original film ended with Lilo being fully cared for by her sister, Nani, and the support of her new family which includes David, Jumba, and Pleakley. This ties in with the film's meaning of 'Ohana,' which means 'family.' The phrase is also associated with the quote, 'Family means no one gets left behind.' What some fans find controversial about the new film's ending, however, is that it doesn't exactly play out the same way. Apparently Nani leaves Lilo to be taken care of by David and his grandmother so that she can pursue her dream of going to college in the American mainland. While she still visits Lilo and Stitch using Jumba's portal gun, it's an ending that some fans felt was disrespectful to the meaning of 'Ohana.' The film's director, however, insists that it merely expands the meaning of the word. Now he insists that Nani is able to keep her dreams from being left behind, something which some fans supported as you can see below: For anybody questioning the ending of our film, this beautiful piece by @lsirikul nails it — Dean Fleischer Camp (@DFLEISCHERCAMP) May 26, 2025 Thank you for sharing your stories with me ❤️ It seems like the people with actual lived experiences like this are the ones with whom this ending resonates the most. — Dean Fleischer Camp (@DFLEISCHERCAMP) May 26, 2025 Others, however, were less happy with this interpretation: Lilo and Stitch 2025 summarized: Ohana means family, unless you get to go to college to be a Marine Biologist, in which case, dump your family on the government and your neighbors. Disney hates you and your family too. — Fake Wizard (@RealLifeFakeWiz) May 23, 2025 How the fuck did the 'ohana means nothing' film outgross the 'ohana means family' film that were trying to adapt — ethanbrah 🇵🇸#FreePalestine (@SadieBy81859) May 25, 2025 — Comrade Sisko 🖖🏾✊🏿 (@Pinko69420) May 27, 2025 Obviously there are a variety of ways this ending could have been handled, whether by following the original film's conclusion more closely or merely allowing Nani to go to college in Hawaii. Either way, the film as a whole has been positively received, so it looks like Lilo & Stitch may succeed regardless of how people feel about the controversy of its ending. Lilo & Stitch is now playing in theaters. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any additional updates as we have them.
