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May 31, 2024 · 5 Stargazing Spots on the Big Island. The Big Island is home to many international telescopes and scientific studies related to astronomy, making it a wonderful place to stargaze and learn more about the heavens above. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The Mauna Kea visitor center. The North Kona coast.
- Stargazing on Mauna Kea in Hawaii
- Getting to Mauna Kea
- Mauna Kea Stargazing Tours
- Where to Stay on The Big Island
- More Epic Things to Do on The Big Island
In Hawaiian, Mauna Kea is short for “Mauna a Wakea” which means “the mountain belonging to the sky.” She’s a dormant volcano but hasn’t erupted for over 4,500 years. At an incredible 13,798 feet, the million-year-old Mauna Kea mountain may not have the highest summit in the world, but it’s technically the tallest! There’s another 19,700 foot worth ...
The Mauna Kea Visitor Center is simple enough to get to from the main road. But if you want to get to the observatory then you’ll need a 4×4 for the final section. The roads leading away from the Visitor Center are more like dirt tracks than roads and are steep and winding. If you’re renting a car, check you’re insured to go beyond the Visitor Cent...
If you’d rather not drive yourself then there are a few tour companies that provide great Mauna Kea stargazing tours. Ours was with the folks from Arnott’s Lodge, which was excellent. We booked both a Mauna Kea tour and a tour around Volcanoes National Park with them. Otherwise, here are some other Mauna Kea stargazing tours to check out: Viator al...
As the name suggests, The Big Island is Hawaii’s biggest island, so you’ve got a few options of where you could stay. We think staying in Hilo, the Kona region or near Volcanoes National Park offers the best selection of accommodation, tours and things to do. We flew into Hilo during our trip, so we based ourselves there and found a room at Arnott’...
Beyond sunsets and stargazing on Mauna Kea, there are lots of other fantastic things to do on The Big Island. Here are a few definite must-sees and must-dos.
- Map of Where to Go Stargazing in Hawaii. By popular request, I’ve added a map to this post to help make it easier to understand where each of the best spots for stargazing in Hawaii can be found.
- The Big Island. In Hawaii, you’ll find some of the world’s best observatories, perched on the volcanic peaks that dominate the landscape. The Big Island is the youngest of the Hawaiian islands, less than a million years old.
- Maui. On Maui, you can stargaze from the mountains, the beach, or both on the same night! Maui’s two mountain ranges and connecting isthmus offer many different ecosystems and stargazing opportunities.
- Molokai. Don’t overlook little Moloka’i as a stargazing destination. This small island receives fewer visitors but makes up for it with limited development and dark skies over the whole island.
Tonight's Sky in Hawaiian Islands, Oct 21 – Oct 22, 2024. Fairly close to the Sun. Visible only after sunset. Mercury is just 14 degrees from the Sun in the sky, so it is difficult to see. Venus can best be seen in the hours just after sunset. Visibility improves as the sunlight fades.
As artificial light forms a light cloud above the land, the excess light disrupts the clear pictures taken by the telescopes. On July 1, 2013, the Hawaii Night Sky Protection Act was initiated, affecting both the Big Island and Maui. A large difference between the Hawaiian islands and the mainland United States can be observed: street lighting.
Sep 19, 2023 · The Big Island’s Mauna Kea stands as an unrivaled stargazing Hawaii wonderland, a realm that houses some of the world’s most renowned observatories. Atop Mauna Kea, nestled beneath the awe-inspiring starry canopy, a realm of pristine, crystalline skies unfolds. Here, you’ll discover a treasure trove of cutting-edge telescopes that extend ...
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The Big Island of Hawaii is known for many things: amazing waterfalls, stunning beaches, and outdoor adventures like you’ve never experienced. But atop the island’s highest mountain, leading scientists from around the world have been conducting crucial research into the stars, the origins of the universe, and tracking unknown objects in the night sky.
