Amazing star photos from Mauna Kea Summit
Feb 14, 2014 17:30:04 #
..........or not.
34 degrees, 52 mph sustained winds, freezing fog and sleet. We waited it out for 4 hours but ended up taking these shots just before sunset. Oh well. It was still an exciting place to visit.
I hope some of you get the chance to go to Hawaii and get some photos at the summit - one of the clearest, least light-polluted spots on earth.
Here's a few things I learned. Harper car rentals in Hilo is one of the few places to rent 4-wheel drive vehicles to go to the top. If you want star photos, do not take a tour bus. They leave right after sunset. Park rangers will suggest you leave shortly after sunset, but they cannot force you to go then.
Sat. and Sundays are the only two days of the week to get a guided tour of the Keck observatory. (All other observatories are closed to the public.)
The summer months are a little warmer and the only time the Milky Way Galactic center is visible.
Have a heavy tripod and preferably some weight to hang on it--it's usually windy up there. An alternative would some cord to tie the tripod down to a big rock or a post by a parking lot.
Allow an hour or two at the visitors center at 9000 feet to get acclimated to the thin air. You will likely feel some effects of altitude sickness at the 14,000 foot summit, so take it easy.
I'd be glad to assist with any other advice or answer questions anyone might have. I'd love to see someone have the good luck to get some photos there.
34 degrees, 52 mph sustained winds, freezing fog and sleet. We waited it out for 4 hours but ended up taking these shots just before sunset. Oh well. It was still an exciting place to visit.
I hope some of you get the chance to go to Hawaii and get some photos at the summit - one of the clearest, least light-polluted spots on earth.
Here's a few things I learned. Harper car rentals in Hilo is one of the few places to rent 4-wheel drive vehicles to go to the top. If you want star photos, do not take a tour bus. They leave right after sunset. Park rangers will suggest you leave shortly after sunset, but they cannot force you to go then.
Sat. and Sundays are the only two days of the week to get a guided tour of the Keck observatory. (All other observatories are closed to the public.)
The summer months are a little warmer and the only time the Milky Way Galactic center is visible.
Have a heavy tripod and preferably some weight to hang on it--it's usually windy up there. An alternative would some cord to tie the tripod down to a big rock or a post by a parking lot.
Allow an hour or two at the visitors center at 9000 feet to get acclimated to the thin air. You will likely feel some effects of altitude sickness at the 14,000 foot summit, so take it easy.
I'd be glad to assist with any other advice or answer questions anyone might have. I'd love to see someone have the good luck to get some photos there.
Keck Double array w/Subaru left and NASA infared right
(Download)
Gemini Telescope flanked by Canada/France Telescope
(Download)
Keck mirror backside
(Download)
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.