Stargazing on Mauna Kea

A star party, Big Island style, isn't likely to include big-name celebrities, but it does offer a huge night sky filled with thousands and thousands of stars, galaxies, nebulas and planets for your viewing pleasure.

Mauna Kea, standing nearly 14,000 feet above sea level, is one of five major mountains on the Island of Hawaii. It is also the home to the greatest concentration of telescopes in the world. The "Star Party" is a regular feature of the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station (VIS), located at the 9,300-foot level of Mauna Kea. The stargazing program is held every evening from 6 to 10 p.m. and begins with an astronomy video followed by a discussion focused on astronomy and Mauna Kea. Then the program moves outside where state-of-the-art telescopes are your passports to the stars.

During spring and summer the Southern Cross, Eta Carinae Nebula, Venus, Mars and the center of our galaxy in Sagittarius are visible. In fall and winter, the big names are Jupiter, Saturn and the Great Andromeda Galaxy. All these can be seen with the naked eye, thanks to the fact that the skies above the Center are among the clearest, coldest and driest night skies on the planet.

There are private tour operators who conduct escorted tours to the summit for sunsets and stargazing. These companies provide transportation as well as narration of the geology and history of the area, arctic-style clothing, food and warm beverages.

The access road to Mauna Kea begins at the 28-mile marker on the Saddle Road (across from the hunter's check-in station) and leads north to the summit. Note that the Saddle Road (Route 200) is considered off-limits by some rental car companies, so please check in advance. Traveling from Hilo or Waimea, allow an hour each way. From Kona allow two hours each way. Be sure that you have a full tank of fuel before setting off for the Center and exercise caution when descending from the mountain by periodically cooling your car's brakes.

Weather is conducive to stargazing 80 percent of the time, but it's a good idea to call 974-4203 before making the trip for the latest weather conditions. For more information about the Center, call 961-2180.

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