Visit

Visit

NOTICE: Our Public Lobby is Waimea is currently closed.

Our Visitor’s Gallery at our telescope facility on Maunakea is temporarily closed.  Please check back for updates. ~Mahalo


The mission of W. M. Keck Observatory is to advance the frontiers of astronomy and share our discoveries with the world. We feel that one of the best ways to give back to our local community is to help schools and other youth groups learn how Hawaii is opening the Universe to the world. A committed team of our employees specializes in leading group activities for kids to teach them about the world-class science, technology and engineering that happens here every day in Waimea. We invite teachers and adult leaders of similar organizations to contact us and arrange a visit. We offer several options which are suitable for different groups. All activities are free of charge; however, due to demand we may not be able to grant every request.

W. M. Keck Observatory Headquarters

Our headquarters in the town of Waimea is currently CLOSED to the public as we undergo lobby renovations.  Mahalo for understanding.

Visiting the Summit of Maunakea

The summit of Maunakea provides dramatic scenery and an unforgettable visitor experience. Visitors with 4-wheel drive vehicles are permitted to drive to the 14,000-foot summit of Maunakea, weather permitting. At the summit, visit Keck Observatory’s visitor’s gallery with exhibits describing our research and operations. The gallery also contains two public restrooms and a viewing area with partial views of the Keck I telescope and dome (look for the blue door). Gallery hours are 9:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m., Daily. If you have questions about the weather and road conditions, please call (808) 935-6268. Safety reminder: The summit of Maunakea at nearly 14,000-feet altitude, presents unique challenges to visitors. Visits to the summit require a 30 minute acclimatization stop at the 9,200-foot Onizuka Visitor’s Center, warm clothing for the summit, sunscreen for protection from excessive UV radiation, and water. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is required beyond the 9,200 foot level as the air is too thin to adequately cool a vehicle’s brakes upon descent. The Mauna Kea Visitor Information Center , located at the 9,200-foot basecamp, and provides information about cultural, environmental, and geological features of Maunakea as well as information about the world-class astronomy it provides. After dark, there are free stargazing programs. Temperatures on the summit can fall to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, or -4 degrees Celsius, within a matter of hours: it is highly recommended that all visitors to the summit take warm clothing and sturdy footgear sufficient to withstand the elements should the vehicle break down. High winds on the summit can often result in blowing snow, sleet, fog and sometimes, flying rocks. Winds can reach 150 mph. The summit of Maunakea is one of the most remote locations in the Islands. Medical and auto help is a minimum of two hours away. Most car rental companies void the rental contract if their cars are driven on Saddle Road and to the summit. It is a safety requirement of the road-maintenance organization for the summit that all vehicles driving up and down the mountain beyond the Hale Pohaku basecamp be four-wheel-drive vehicles. Caution is advised. Driving Directions To Keck Observatory HQ (via Google) To the Keck I and Keck II telescopes on Maunakea (via UH-IfA)


Useful Links

For Visiting W.M. Keck Observatory:

List of other helpful astronomical education resources: