This is a dream come true trip of a lifetime for most visitors! Imagine yourself high atop the world's tallest mountain, (if you include the undersea elevation) Mauna Kea, with an above sea level elevation of 13,796 feet, far exceeds the height of Mt. Everest!
Please note that Aloha Place- Inn of Volcano no longer conducts this tour, however this itinerary remains as a guide for all of those who desire the adventure of a lifetime! Begin your excursion from Aloha Place- Inn of Volcano around 3pm , traveling into Hilo and then up the Saddle Road and onto 'Mauna Kea Road'. Stop short of the Visitor Center to take in a short 'walk-a-bout' to experience the terrain and take this grand opportunity for photographs while adjusting yourselves to the change in elevation (8,000 foot level). Come prepared with hot/cold beverages such as hot cocoa, coffee, juice and water and snacks such as granola bars, energy bars, and trail mix are always a good idea. Keep in mind you are visiting a very remote place on Earth and come prepared- you'll enjoy it a whole lot more! (There are no services on the road but the Visitor Center does offer some meager snack and beverage choices just in case you forget!) From here then venture to the Visitor Center where the Stargazing Program begins at 6PM with an astronomy video which is followed by a discussion of astronomy and Mauna Kea. This Program then continues outdoors where you will be using a Meade LX-200 16" Alt-Az, a 14" Celestron and an 11" Celestron (both on the Losmandy German equatorial mount) to view different colors of stars, star clusters, double stars, white dwarfs, planetary nebulas, star-forming nebulars, supernova remnants, supernovas, planets, galaxies, lots of "M" objects, and our moon. Part of the evening is spent pointing out all of the constellations visible in Hawaii. You will even see the Zodiacal light! Please bear in mind at 9,300 feet (2,800 meters) the skies above the Visitor Center are among the clearest, driest, and darkest on the entire planet! The Visitor Center site is located above the elevation of most of the major telescopes on Earth!
Please note that Aloha Place- Inn of Volcano no longer conducts this tour, however this itinerary remains as a guide for all of those who desire the adventure of a lifetime! Depart Aloha Place- Inn of Volcano about 11AM and begin your journey towards Mauna Kea. Venturing into Hilo and then gradually climbing the slopes along Mauna Kea Road. After traveling for about an hour an a half we suggest you take a short stop and view the terrain and take in this picturesque opportunity to view the entire Big Island. At this point it is a good idea to partake in some snacks and beverages while you adjust yourselves to the elevation. Then continue your excursion arriving promptly at the Visitor Center at 1PM. At this time you can re-acclimate to an elevation of 9,300 feet during which time is spent viewing one or more videos about astronomy on Mauna Kea, followed by a question-and-answer session. At 2PM you return to your vehicle and depart for the half hour journey to the summit where we will hear a description of the history, ownership, mirror size, and types of work done by all of the summit telescopes. Note- Stargazing/Summit Tours require a 4WD vehicle and can be rented via Harper Car Rentals. The summit access road closes shortly before dusk so come prepared and arrive early whenever possible, the photographic opportunities are AWESOME! THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR YOUR GENERAL KNOWLEDGE AND OFTEN CHANGES ARE MADE TO THESE PROGRAMS WITHOUT NOTICE. THEREFORE, WE STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU SEEK MORE CURRENT INFORMATION AT LEAST THREE HOURS BEFORE DEPARTURE AND INQUIRE ABOUT WEATHER AND ROAD CONDITIONS AS WELL! ENJOY YOUR COSMIC EXPERIENCE!
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Okay enough already about Mauna Kea-
What about a journey to
While visiting the Mauna Loa Observatory you will join in learning what 50 years of science and observation is teaching all of us!
Just in case you are not up for the journey to the top of Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa-
How about a visit to "Imiloa" Astronomy Center of Hawai'i! An authentic Hawaiian Voyage through Time and Space! (We highly recommend a visit!) This is Hawaii's premier interpretive center for modern astronomy and Hawaiian cultural traditions. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-4pm* *Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
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