Sunday, January 30, 2011

Something free to do on Hawaii's Big Island


Mauna Kea, the world's tallest mountain (30,000 feet from its base in the ocean to its summit, which sits 14,000 feet above sea level), is home to many of the world's largest observatories. Guided tours to the top (including food and transportation) can run $200, but there is a  free alternatives.
 
Free stargazing programs are held nightly at the visitors center, located at 9,000 feet. It was somewhat cloudy the night that we attended, and while we waited for a break in the weather, we enjoyed hearing about research done on the mountain. When skies cleared, we looked through a telescope at Mars' polar ice cap and other celestial wonders. Amazing!!


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