Mauna Kea Observatory

The dormant volcano Mauna Kea is the home to 13 world class telescopes that make up the Mauna Kea Observatory.  They are located at 13,796 feet above sea level which is one reason to rent a 4WD vehicle when visiting the island since only 4WD is allowed up to the summit.  We had to settle for the Visitors center at 9,300 ft above sea level, still a magnificent view.  Mike, Scott and myself decided to participate in the free nightly star gazing program scheduled every night at the visitors center.  We had taken Saddle Road (as we did when we visited Hilo) but this time instead of clear skies we drove through misty clouds.

View from Saddle Road of some of the Observatories (and snow) on a clear day .

We wondered would we be able to see anything once we got to the visitors center, since visibility was challenging?  Then, as if a curtain was opened, suddenly all was clear in front of us.

This is from the rear window of our car of vehicles behind us emerging from clouds on the road

We arrived to the visitors center before dusk

View from Visitors Center

and that gave us time to check out the gift shop where I bought Heather a Crab Nebular poster, and myself a long sleeve tee (a lot of shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants and collar shirts to choose from) and then we watched a short film.  The film did show a little about the telescopes at the observatory, though in my opinion not enough, but it actually was more about the Hawaiian history with the Mauna Kea volcano and how technology is being slowly accepted by the old Hawaiian culture.
The visitor center does not serve food, but it does have hot chocolate, soup, and something similar to ramen noodles.  Things that you can make for yourself with the hot water tap that is available outside the building.  Since the temperature was in the 40s, many people were looking for ways to warm up.  After the film, we went outside and multiple telescopes had been set up.

It was possible to view Saturn, Venus, and other heavenly bodies.  When it was finally dark enough it was annouced the star gazing would begin.  There were two people in charge, and they pointed into the sky with the best red laser pointer we had ever seen.  It was very easy to see each star that they talked about or the whole constellation as it appeared in the sky.  They talked about the reasons this location is ideal for the observatory at the summit.  It is extremely dry, cloud free, has a stable atmosphere, free of pollutants, and a very dark sky (the Milky Way looked amazing).  As a matter of fact, while we were there if someone got in their car to leave and turned on their headlights, everyone would say "Awwwww!!" as the sudden brightness grabbed everyones attention.  We were given insights on different constellations, as well as how some constellations were named.  Everything we see in our night sky is in the Milky Way Galaxy, there is only one star we can see with the naked eye that isn't in our galaxy (he pointed to it), its Andromada.  When the program was over, and it was time to head to our cars, with a chuckle we were told to keep our eyes open and:

This is just to alert people to watch out for the free roaming cows that are dark in color, and blend into the intense darkness, as you are driving down from the summit or visitors center.

                                                       Info on the Observatories at the Summit

1. Hilo Educational  UH (first telescope on the mountain - 1969)
2. United Kingdom Infrared Telescope UKIRT
3. UH 2.2 meter Telescope operated by University of Hawaii and graduate students
4. Gemini Optical/IR Telescope operated by the consortium of seven countries
5. Caltech Submillimeter
6. James Clerk Maxwell Submillimeter operated by UK, Netherlands, & Canada
7. Canada-France-Hawaii Optical Telescope
8. SMA  Submillimeter Array   eight 6 meter antennas operated by Smithsonian and Taiwan
9. Subaru Telescope optical by Japan
10 & 12. W M Keck Telescopes each 33 ft in diameter, 2nd largest in the world
11. IRTF  NASA Infrared Telescope


Other Information:  1pm Saturdays and Sundays anyone with a 4WD vehicle can meet at the visitors center and join the escorted caravan up to the summit where visitors will be allowed into at least one observatory.  Must be over 16 to participate.  It is about a half hour drive to the summit.  This program runs until about 4pm.  Visitors are not allowed on the summit after dark.

Even though we did not make it to the summit, the star gazing program was wonderful and worth the drive.  Highly recommended!