Astronomy Dream: Mauna Kea

[graham.hobart (Graham stevens)]

I took a well earned break from work recently and took the family to Hawai'i.
We were based in Honolulu - which was fab for the family, great hotels, swimming pools, stuff to see and do like the Aquarium and I dragged them all along to Pearl Harbour as well!
Before I left I planned a telescope trip- to Mauna Kea. From Honolulu it is a 45 min flight to the big Island (Oahu to Kona) and to be honest when I landed in Kona I was gutted!- clouds all over the place and not looking promising/raining.
I rang the the people who I was going with (Mauna Kea Summit Adventures) and they assured me that the clouds topped out at 9000 feet so we would be ok!
Anyway, they picked me up and after a few other pick ups- about 9 of us in a four wheel drive vehicle (half bus half truck) we were on the way.
Was spectacular as I was a singleton so I sat next to the driver and got an amazing view of the lava landscape between Kona and Mona Loa and Kea - also he was very informative on the local geology and wildlife.
We gradually climbed the lava up to the start of the ascent to Mauna, and stopped a few times for WC etc.
As we hit the Mountain climb the road became more 4WD and there was a lot a volcanic features, and lots of dust. We stopped for a snack at the visitors centre.
I thought " this is going be be great' as I saw a bunch of CAT's outside the centre, some well used C11 and C14's by the looks of things.
We got given parkas at this point as it was going to get cold.
We ascended from here on a dusty, tracked road, through lunar terrain, some parts almost Martian (NASA sometimes does ROVER training here?) the road was narrow and we were down to low gear and shut the windows as the dust was pretty enveloping. The guide said -' this is like this till 2km from the top when the road gets better as the astronomers don't like the dust"!! How sweet is that !!!
Anyway, as we got higher I saw certain buildings and knew that the weather Gods had treated us well this time- a breathtaking last climb to the top and a feeling (deja vous?) if you have seen this before.
But I have to tell you, standing next to the Keck, at Sunset, then going up to the Subaru and hearing that big bugger move and seeing it open and rotate, whilst being frozen at -5'c and then watching the whole multi billion dollar waltz of technology start to work---Sublime!!!
I never got to see inside, but that doesn't matter- it's a research scope and not my old newt or small Tak!
I understand that, but for a moment I stood on the shoulders of a giant, looking at the optics the Scientists utilise as they leap from the shoulders of the giant - to the stars. Whether you call your giant Newton or Hubble or Mauna Kea.
I was profoundly moved by it.


My tips for the trip-
book in advance and if you are on another Island book a hotel (you get back about 11pm)
Prepare for a long day in a seat- including toilet stops
Thats about it.
By the way, on the way back they get some telescopes out and look for stuff, as we hit the cloud deck it was mainly Jupiter and the Moon.
I would have easily skipped this last bit and gone home earlier, as I have a scope, but not everyone has- (as demonstrated by the group of people who could not grasp " no lights/ no mobile lights etc) but hey - maybe they learnt something ?
cheers
Graham

[alan meehan (Alan)]

Really clear sky up there Graham looks like you had a good time,like to do this myself someday
AL

[Derek Klepp]

Thanks Graham

[N1 (Mirko)]

Great photos and report Graham! Sent you a PM.

[RobF (Rob)]

Know what you mean about the drizzle in Hilo Graham. Was there many years ago and almost kept my camera with me as plane departed, but figured no use in the rain. As we climbed out on sunset suddenly broke above the clouds and everything was orange cotton wool to the horizon with Mauna Kea right there beside us - snow, scope and all.

Other wordly, but not a patch on standing right next to the scope I bet

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Graham
I am lucky enough to have made the trip up MK 3 times now, and it never ceases to amaze, inspire and delight!!

Fantastic photos. Mauna Kea Summit Adventures do a great job service wise. On my last trip I didn't bother doing much with the scopes they had, apent my time doing star trails instead (I already know what Omega Cent looks like!).

Are there many protesters at the VIS still??

Malcolm

[astronobob (Bob)]

Awesome !!!