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Starry, Starry Nights in Hawaii
Hawaii's position in the middle of the Pacific Ocean makes it popular with astronomers due to its clear skies and lack of light pollution.
PERSEIDS METEOR SHOWER - Island of Oahu, 11/12 August, 2010
Special Astronomy Package 6 - 15 August
2 islands, 9 nights B&B in 3* & 4* hotels, including flights, taxes
& Mauna Kea Summit Night Tour from €2495 pp sharing
(see info below)
Hawaii’s Big Island is home to one of the most renowned astronomical sites on the planet. Perched high atop Mauna Kea, rising 13,796 feet above sea level, 13 telescopes representing 11 countries are watching the heavens and making discoveries beyond our imaginations.
Here, on the tallest sea mountain in the world, experts and visitors are treated to a show few have experienced. At this elevation, and because of the clear air and minimal light pollution, the stars can light the sky like glitter. The sunsets above the clouds can also be spectacular.
Guided stargazing tours offer transportation, warm parkas, dinner, access to the mountain summit, detailed narratives about the history and cultural significance of Maunakea as well as night viewing. For those who want to venture up on their own (not recommended), a four-wheel drive vehicle is required (weather permitting). However the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station at the 9,300 foot level is accessible via two-wheel drive vehicles (Check with your car rental company to see if access to Maunakea is allowed - many prohibit driving in this area). Anyone wishing to venture above this point must have a four-wheel drive as the air is too thin to adequately cool a vehicle's breaks upon descent.
The visitors’ center is open daily, and offers summit tours and public stargazing. (The high altitude may be a health hazard for some and can produce serious life-threatening conditions. Be sure to familiarize yourself with safety precautions before traveling upslope Maunakea). To learn more click here.
You can also study the stars from sea level at the new Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. Imiloa, which means, “exploring new knowledge,” opened to the public in early 2006 and is housed beneath three striking titanium cones representing volcanoes. The center offers two perspectives of Mauna Kea: its sacred cultural significance to Hawaiians and its importance as the world’s foremost astronomy site. The large planetarium features an IMAX-style movie presentation that makes viewers feel like they’re flying through space. Look up to the stars and discover even more beauty on Hawaii’s Big Island.
The W.M. Keck Observatory operates two 10-meter optical/infrared telescopes on the summit of Mauna Kea and is the scientific partnership of the California Institute of Technology, the University of California and NASA.
With the successful launch of the W. M. Keck Observatory Volunteer Program, visitors of the Island of Hawai’i are encouraged to visit the Observatory’s headquarters in the town of Waimea. Vvolunteers are available Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to greet guests and educate them about Keck and the other Mauna Kea observatories. Visitors can view models and images of the twin 10-meter Keck telescopes as well as hear about our latest discoveries and outreach programs.
PERSEIDS METEOR SHOWER - Island of Oahu, 11/12 August, 2010
A nearly new moon in the sky makes this a highly favorable meteor shower this year. The most famous of all meteor showers, it never fails to render an impressive display, typically more than 60 Perseids per hour. The Perseids have been known as the "tears of St Lawrence", since these shooting stars are in abundance during the festival of that saint on 10 August. Due to its summertime appearance, it tends to provide the majority of meteors seen by non-astronomy enthusiasts. Perseids are fast meteors and tend to be fairly bright on average. An occasional fireball is seen. The warm summer nights, coupled with bright shooting stars are enough to entice even the most armchair-bound astronomer outside.
STARRY, STARRY NIGHTS IN HAWAII
2 islands, 9 nights B&B in 3* & 4* hotels, including flights, taxes
& Mauna Kea Summit Night Tour from €2495 pp sharing
Aloha Holidays has put together a special Stargazers Package (but with Hawaii's fantastic beaches and superb attractions there's plenty for non-astronomers to enjoy too) with a range of departure dates from 6th August, 2010 onwards, allowing you to incorporate the Perseids Meteor Shower.
The package includes international return flights from Dublin, 6 nights B&B in a 3* hotel in Waikiki on the island of Oahu, an inter-island flight to the Big Island where you stay in a 4* hotel for 3 nights on a B&B basis plus a night tour to the summit of Mauna Kea to include dinner and star gazing. The price is from €2495 per person sharing. The package may be adapted with more or less nights, stop-overs in mainland USA, alternative hotels and special group rates will also apply. Subject to availability. Prices correct at time of print (Apr 10).
A similar package, without the Meteor Shower, can also be organised on other dates. Contact us to discuss your reuirements.
HAWAII - HOME TO THE WORLD'S LARGEST TELESCOPE
In July 2009 Hawaii was selected to be the home of the world's largest telescope. Due to be completed by 2018, it will sit way above the clouds at over 13,790 feet on the top of Mauna Kea, one of the dormant volcanoes on the Big Island.
The telescope will be so powerful that scientists will be able to see light that has taken 13 billion light years to reach earch. This means astonomers will look at images of the first stars and galaxies forming.
The telescope's mirror will be almost 100 foot in diameter, nearly the length of a Boeing 737's wingspan.
Hawaii won't hold the title for long though as a European consortium is due to have an even larger telescope in place later in 2018.
Great Value Hawaii in 2010!If we find cheaper prices on your travel dates we'll pass the savings on to you!
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