The Subaru Telescope has officially named its new Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS) ʻŌnohiʻula, reflecting both its scientific mission and the cultural heritage of Hawaiʻi. This designation was announced during a naming ceremony on November 19, 2023, at the Subaru Telescope’s base facility in Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island. The name embodies the instrument’s goal of “perceiving the realm of our origins,” emphasizing a collaboration between scientific exploration and local cultural values.
The Prime Focus Spectrograph is an advanced instrument capable of observing approximately 2,400 celestial objects simultaneously. It operates across a wide field of view, obtaining spectra from visible to near-infrared light in a single exposure. Since commencing full scientific operations in March 2025, the PFS has initiated a new era of large-scale spectroscopic surveys, contributing to essential research in cosmology, galaxy evolution, and the Milky Way’s structure.
During the ceremony, Professor Larry Kimura of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo presented the Hawaiian name. The term ʻŌnohi translates to “what one perceives from their sight,” inspired by the telescope’s prime focus, which serves as its “eye.” The component ʻula means “red,” symbolizing both the redshifted galaxies that the PFS will observe and the exploration of the early Universe.
Professor Kimura elaborated on the significance of the name, stating, “The name ʻŌnohiʻula represents the spectrum of the rainbow that we can see here, on the ground on Earth, and the eye of the instrument and in particular the color red, a sacred color which is associated with what we call the heavens in Hawaiian culture.” This connection between advanced scientific research and Native Hawaiian perspectives highlights the Subaru Telescope’s commitment to respecting the cultural significance of Maunakea to the local community.
“It’s very important for Subaru Telescope to connect to our culture here in Hawaiʻi, and the way we can do that is through this name,” Kimura added.
Professor Naoyuki Tamura, the PFS Project Manager, emphasized how the new name signifies a commitment to inclusive exploration. “ʻŌnohiʻula represents not just a powerful new eye on the Universe, but a commitment to conduct that exploration in conversation and collaboration with the people and place of Hawaiʻi,” he stated.
Additionally, Professor Hitoshi Murayama, the principal investigator of PFS, expressed appreciation for the Hawaiian name. He remarked, “Our instrument received a beautiful name in the Hawaiian language. It represents the science of PFS very well. I have a renewed resolve to make sure we will produce exciting science with ʻŌnohiʻula PFS just as this name indicates.”
The naming of the PFS as ʻŌnohiʻula not only honors the instrument’s scientific capabilities but also underscores the importance of fostering relationships with the local community. By integrating cultural aspects into its scientific endeavors, the Subaru Telescope demonstrates a model for future collaborations in the field of astronomy, ensuring that both global research and local traditions are respected and valued.
