Observatories in Hawaii

Astronomy Observatories

Situated near the 4,207-meter summit of Mauna Kea, these world-class facilities represent a global hub for space exploration. The collection includes the twin 10-meter Keck telescopes, the 8.2-meter Subaru Telescope, and specialized instruments like the James Clerk Maxwell submillimeter radio telescope. These sites benefit from Hawaii’s high altitude and stable atmosphere, allowing researchers to study everything from distant galaxies to near-earth asteroids. While most summit facilities are restricted to research personnel, the area remains a critical site for groundbreaking discoveries in infrared, submillimeter, and optical astronomy.