There are over a half dozen observatories on the summit of Mauna Kea. The Visitors' Center is about one hour and forty-five minutes from Kona and is at 9000+ feet; it is another half hour to the summit (13796). It can be cold any time of year there and snow fall can fall between October and May. The Visitors' Center has telescopes available to the general public Thursday through Sunday evenings. Tour buses leave from Kona and provide winter clothing; the tour is quite expensive (~$100.00). The tour buses stop at the center on the way up to help you get acclimated, and on the way down for some viewing through the telescopes at the center (14" & 16" Cassegrains). The Visitors' Center has a good video on the history of the development of the observatories; don't miss it; it runs continually and is a good way to spend your time acclimating at 9000 feet. If you have four-wheel drive, go up when there is snow on the ground as it is more impressive. Go as soon as the road is open as the snow can be gone in a day. Be sure to spend an hour at 9000 feet to help get yourself acclimated for the summit. The web site of the Visitors' Center has images of the summit as often as every five minutes (UKIRT camera). Click on the button that says "Information" on the home page to get to the images. The Visitor' Center phone number is 808-961-2180. The road condition number is 808-974-4203. |