In the 11,228-acre Mauna Kea Science Reserve, 525 acres have been allocated to the building of independent astronomical research facilities to study space on the highest peak in Hawaii, the Mauna Kea volcano. With very little light pollution and low humidity, located near the equator, the Observatories are in the perfect location to study space. Compared to the Hubble Telescope with its 2.4m mirror, the mirrors on the telescopes here go up to 25m, aptly being called Extremely Large Telescopes (scientifically!).

The climb to the summit of Mauna Kea isn’t for everyone, it is recommended that children under 16 and pregnant women not go beyond the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station (VIS) at 2,800m, far below the summit of 4,200m. All visitors are required to stop at the VIS for half an hour to acclimatise and require safety precautions including sunscreen. Only four-wheel drive vehicles can go up to the summit because of how thin the air is. All in all, it’s a rare opportunity for very few that shouldn’t be missed.

While you can see and get relatively close to the Keck, Subaru and Gemini observatories, most of them don’t allow visitors. The W. M. Keck Observatory actually allows visitors inside, and had galleries to view the telescope from, usually at 9.30am-3.30pm on Mondays to Thursdays. There is no way to “see through” the telescope, however, though you can go stargazing outside, to look at the same night sky as scientists from over 11 countries.