An active volcano on north central Hawaii Island; highest peak in the Hawaiian Islands.
Astronomical observatory in Hawaii, US, built on a dormant volcano at 4,200 m/13,784 ft above sea level. Because of its elevation high above clouds, atmospheric moisture, and artificial lighting, Mauna Kea is ideal for infrared astronomy. The first telescope on the site was installed 1970.
Telescopes include the 2.24 m/88 in University of Hawaii reflector 1970. In 1979 three telescopes were erected: the 3.8 m/150 in United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) (also used for optical observations); the 3 m/120 in NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF); and the 3.6 m/142 in Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), designed for optical and infrared work. The 15 m/50 ft diameter UK/Netherlands James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) is the world's largest telescope specifically designed to observe millimeter wave radiation from nebulae, stars, and galaxies. The JCMT is operated via satellite links by astronomers in Europe.
The world's largest optical telescope, the Keck Telescope, is also situated on Mauna Kea.