Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano situated on the island of Hawaii. Since the peak of the volcano is the highest point in Hawaii, the summit has become a global center for the study of astronomy and is home to the world’s largest observatory, with 13 telescopes operated by astronomers from eleven different countries.

Reaching the summit of Mauna Kea (13,800 feet) is no easy task as you will need a heavy-duty four-wheel drive vehicle to reach the rim, and both hikers and drivers often experience altitude sickness near the summit.

However, at the visitor’s information station (at 9,200 feet), you can attend a free nightly star gazing program or a regular Saturday night astronomy or astrophysics program.

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