Science and Projects

Astronomy

The 525 acre Astronomy Precinct encompasses twelve of the thirteen telescope facilities on Maunakea. The Institute for Astronomy (IFA) coordinates scientific research among the Maunakea Observatories, and carries out its own program of fundamental research. The Mauna Kea Astronomy Outreach Committee (MKAOC) coordinates and organizes the collective outreach efforts of Maunakea Observatories and supports related organizations such as the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station (MKVIS).

Sunset over the Maunakea observatory There are currently thirteen working telescopes near the summit of Maunakea. Nine of them are for optical and infrared astronomy, three of them are for submillimeter wavelength astronomy and one is for radio astronomy. They include the largest optical/infrared telescopes in the world (the Keck telescopes), the largest dedicated infrared telescope (UKIRT) and the largest submillimeter telescope in the world (the JCMT). The westernmost antenna of the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) is situated at a lower altitude two miles from the summit. Visit the Univerity of Hawaiʻi, Institute of Astronomy for more information.

Binary Star system, as seen through Keck telescope