Hawaii's Big Island is host to the most sought-after astronomical site in the
world. Perched high atop Mauna Kea, rising 13,796 feet above the beautiful
Pacific Ocean, 11 telescopes representing 13 countries are watching the heavens
and looking past the stars to galaxies extending far beyond our imagination. All
this heavenly science has arrived because our air is so clear, light pollution
is minimal and the elevation is perfect. Here experts and visitors alike are
afforded a show few can experience and none will forget.
Home to some of the most powerful telescopes in the world, Mauna Kea is about
as close as a traveler can get to the stars without leaving earth. Specially
guided tours take you right up to the summit, and into these huge telescopes to
view the universe and beyond. With the help of experts, visitors can get to know
the Hawaiian sky - from Polaris, the North Star, all the way down to the
Southern Cross; from the rings of Saturn to the Milky Way. Guided astronomy and
stargazing tours offer transportation, warm parkas, dinner, access to the summit
of Mauna Kea, detailed narratives on history and cultural as well as expert
night time viewing.
Mauna Kea Summit Adventures - Since
starting this outfit 23 years ago with an old Land Cruiser and a basket full
of sweaters, my guides and I have had the enviable job of guiding nice folks,
like you, to the beauty of Mauna Kea. For us, guiding Mauna Kea isn't a
sideline or the greatest new visitor product. For us, its our passion, our
responsibility and our pleasure. We invite you to experience, what is, quite
possibly, the most dramatic and stimulating scenery to be found anywhere,
either on or off planet earth.
Aerial Tour of the
Mauna Kea Observatories - The first 10 photographs in these series show
many (and in a few cases all) of the observatories at the top of Mauna Kea.
The next series of photographs provide a closer look at some of the
telescopes.
Visitor
Information Station - MAUNA KEA - At 9,300 feet (2,800 meters) the skies
above the Visitor Center are among the clearest, driest and darkest on the
planet. The Visitor Center site is located above the elevation of most of the
major telescopes on Earth.
Jack’s Hawaii -
Experience the night sky 9,200 feet above sea level atop the famous Mauna Kea
Mountain at the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy. Scientists believe
that this is the best place in the world to observe the night sky and have
been strategically placing the world's finest telescopes here for years.
Mauna Kea Observatories - The
4,200 meter high summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii houses the world's largest
observatory for optical, infrared, and submillimeter astronomy. Click on a
dome to identify a telescope.
Onizuka Center for
International Astronomy - Observatories-Weather and Other Outside Links-
Mauna Kea Summit Weather Prediction-Current Temperature, Wind, and Humidity at
the Summit-Live Cameras on Mauna Kea-Canada, France Hawaii Camera-Live Mauna
Loa Camera looking at Mauna Kea.
