Mauna Kea - Maunakea Western Star map
Hawaii, United States β 0.5 km
Mauna Kea - Subaru Telescope
πΊπΈ Hawaii Β· United States β Altitude 4137 m
This live stream looks out from the Subaru Telescope on the summit of Mauna Kea, one of the world's leading astronomical sites. The view takes in high volcanic terrain and a thin, clear sky at altitude. People watch it to see changing light, cloud cover and conditions on one of Hawaii's most remote peaks.
Mauna Kea is a dormant shield volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. Its summit rises to about 4,137 metres, which places it well above the tropical cloud layer that often covers the lower slopes. The surroundings are dry, barren and lava-shaped, with little vegetation at the top. The site is sacred to many Native Hawaiians, and visitors are asked to behave respectfully. Its position far from city lights has made the summit one of the best places on Earth for observing the night sky.
The camera is aimed at the telescope complex, so the most interesting moments come at sunrise and sunset, when the sky changes colour across the volcanic landscape. Clear nights offer the sharpest view of the stars, and the stream is useful for judging whether the summit is clouded in. Conditions can shift quickly at this altitude, and the picture may show fog, wind or snow on the cold, dry slopes depending on the season.
The summit is reached by a long, steep road, and the air is thin, so the climate is cold and dry even when the coast is warm. Mid-year months tend to bring the clearest skies, and the summit is often colder than expected at any time. Other cameras in the region include Waikoloa, about 44 km away, and the Volcan Kilauea view, about 50 km away, which give a different picture of the island's landscape.
Source: Mauna Kea Telescope Live
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The current conditions at the summit are shown in the live weather block on this page, including temperature and a three-day forecast. Summit weather differs a lot from the coast, so check it before planning a trip.
The local time for Hawaii is shown in the live clock on this page. Hawaii does not change its clocks for daylight saving time.
The camera is at the Subaru Telescope on the summit of Mauna Kea, on the Big Island of Hawaii, at about 4,137 metres above sea level. The map on this page marks its position.
Sunrise and sunset are good times to see colour changes over the volcanic landscape, and clear nights are useful for checking sky conditions. Summit weather can change quickly, so it is worth watching at different times.
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