RC Optical Systems

RCOS the Observatory Complex at Mauna Kea, Hawaii

In August of 2001, RCOS visited Mauna Kea, Hawaii. on the "tour" that is available to the public.

Its an 8 hour adventure, most of which is in the 4 x 4 Turbo Diesel Van getting to the top of Mauna Kea at 13, 700 feet. The ride was quite enjoyable and our guide was very informative about Hawaii and it's geological origins.

Once we reached 9,000 feet, a mandatory stop at the Visitors Center allowed us to acclimatize and have a hot meal. The final accent is timed to arrive at the summit an hour before night fall. All visitors must leave the summit by dark.

At the summit, we were allowed to wonder around for an hour amongst all the massive observatories. At 13,700 feet, the lack of oxygen is quite apparent. Many of the "not-so-fit" visitors became faint and required oxygen. It was also windy and very cold, even while wearing a heavy parka.

After sunset, the domes all open and the scopes swing into position. Particularly interesting was the Gemini North, as the dome opens on all sides. I was standing at the base when this started and it was almost frightening!

Once dark, we drove back down to the Visitors Center at 9,000 feet. They had set up several telescopes, a Meade 16 inch LX200, a C-14, a C-11 and two C-8s, for us to use. My group was assigned to a C-8. The scope was in poor condition and it was difficult to tell visually how good the seeing was. :-(

After a few hours of some interesting viewing, we climbed back into the Turbo Van and returned to Waikaloa by midnight.

Here are some pictures I took while the sun was setting:

All Photos by Brad Ehrhorn. Canada-France-Hawaii 3.6 meter and Gemini 8.1 meter

This picture was taken as I was standing at the base of the University of Hawaii 2.2-meter Telescope.

The Canada-France-Hawaii 3.6 meter (left) is an optical/infrared telescope. The CFH Telescope became operational in 1979.

The 8.1 meter Gemini North (right) is fully operational and now working with Gemini South. The unusual dome opens on all sides (see below) for optimum thermal equilibrium.

The Subaru (left) is an 8.2 meter optical-infrared telescope operated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ). Keck I and II (middle and right) are the world's largest optical and and infrared telescopes.

The Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (left) is a cutting-edge facility for astronomical research and instrumentation development. It consists of a 10.4-meter diameter Leighton radio dish.

The 15m James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (middle left) is specifically to operate in the submillimeter wavelength range. It is the worlds largest radio telescope working between 3mm and 0.3mm.

For more on the other telescopes, please see:

MAUNA KEA TELESCOPES

Thanks for visiting!

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