Mauna Kea Kisses
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
My husband, the technosexual man, had Mauna Kea on his short list of must sees.
Okay, first a quick briefing for those of you unfamiliar with Mauna Kea(like I was).
Mauna Kea hosts the world's largest astronomical observatory, with telescopes operated by astronomers from over eleven countries.
Telescopes found at the summit of Mauna Kea are funded by government agencies of various nations.
- Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO): Caltech
- Canada France Hawai'i Telescope (CFHT): Canada, France, University of Hawai'i
- Gemini North Telescope: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, Australia, Argentina, Brazil
- Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF): NASA
- James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT): United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands
- Subaru Telescope: National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
- Sub-Millimeter Array (SMA): Taiwan, United States
- United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT): United Kingdom
- University of Hawai'i 88-inch (2.2 m) telescope (UH88): University of Hawai'i
- University of Hawai'i 24-inch (610 mm) telescope (UH24): University of Hawaii at Hilo
- One receiver of the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA): United States
- W. M. Keck Observatory: California Association for Research in Astronomy
Mauna Kea is unique as an astronomical observing site because the atmosphere above the mountain is extremely dry -- which is important in measuring infrared and submillimeter radiation from celestial sources - and cloud-free, so that the proportion of clear nights is among the highest in the world. The exceptional stability of the atmosphere above Mauna Kea permits more detailed studies than are possible elsewhere, while its distance from city lights and a strong island-wide lighting ordinance ensure an extremely dark sky, allowing observation of the faintest galaxies that lie at the very edge of the observable Universe. A tropical inversion cloud layer about 600 meters (2,000 ft) thick, well below the summit, isolates the upper atmosphere from the lower moist maritime air and ensures that the summit skies are pure, dry, and free from atmospheric pollutants.
Okay, enough of the sciency schmiency, it was the. coolest. thing. ever. It was odd to be wearing parkas in Hawaii but the freezing nose and fingers worth every minute. The view was the most spectacular thing I have seen, the stars so close it was as if you could pick them out of the sky. The sky was so dark, several moving satellites were visible and the constellations blazed so bright you could easily pick them out. The idea that so many countries work together and share their information and data is hopeful(quick note, Japan is the only country that sells their info rather than share, tsk tsk Japan!). In a word, the trip up Mauna Kea to an elevation of 14,000 feet was breathtaking, and yes in part because at that elevation it is actually difficult to breathe. This guy also took my breath away.
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You are such a stellar kisser :-).
What an incredibly 'cool' experience. In more ways than one! I was going to be an astronomer for awhile, when I was about 14....until I realised it was not about travelling in spaceships. Nowadays you wouldn't get me in a spaceship for a million bucks, unlike Richard Branson who has reputedly pre-booked his ticket on the first commercial shuttle flight.
You guys are havin' some fun now!!!
Aww, so sweet.
My almost ex-/almost not ex-fiance proposed at about 14,000 feet. Breathtaking.
I have always wanted to go there! Seriously. Jealous. Love it.
(psst: "imfook." Hilare.)
Ahhhh.
But...
What the hell is technosexual.
Man now that is my kind of side-trip. I would love going there.
technosexual...hmmm. Does that involve vibrators?
p.s. that place looks amazing and that's on our list for next trip to Hawaii.
Oh I hope you're having a great time. Hawaii was on our list for a trip this fall...but somehow the fact that 3 workers and a shit load of tool are working on installing new floors downstairs makes me think otherwise.