Star-struck Mauna Kea

Author:

Stapleton, Frankie

Title:

Star-struck Mauna Kea

Periodical:

Spirit of Aloha

Year:

1997

Volume:

22

Pages:

54-57, 64

Subject:

Astronomical observatories Mauna Kea Mauna Kea description and travel Stargazing

Summary:

This document describes the history of astronomy in Hawaii that began in the early 1960s, as scientists began to recognize the dark, clear skies that surround Mauna Kea as "unique" with regard to the potential of exploring the cosmos. Also described is how the Institute for Astronomy was the driving force in the development of Mauna Kea's astronomical park and how today's telescopes are huge instruments that collect light in forms that are observable across the electromagnetic spectrum. This light is only measurable by instruments that collect data in the infrared and radio wavelengths as well as through visible light. This light is then collected by the giant telescopes that sits atop Hawaii's highest mountain and fed through computers to create pictures or maps of events that took place during the billions or trillions of years that it took to the light to travel across space to reach the Earth.

Label:

Mauna Kea - Astronomy

Collection:

Periodicals