Hawaii Observatories Expedition
All, As you have become aware, Rob Ratkowski and I are planning a trip to the Hawaiian Islands to visit the *Haleakala Observatories* on Maui and the *Mauna Kea Observatories *on the Big island. Too get you further excited, I am attaching a photo of the Faulkes Telescope* on Maui. Rob and I have a few questions that we need answered before we can go any further with our planning. 1 - When do we go? Any time is a wonderful time to go, but for the best chance of clear skies and low winds, mid-spring on into early winter may be best. And off season would be the least expensive way to go, which means we don't go when it is 10 degrees here. Rob has some suggestions: Spring 2008 (May specifically for their Astronomy Day festivities), Nov 2007 for the lunar eclipse, and 2012 is Venus transit and Hawaii is fantastically placed. What are your thoughts? 2 - How many will be going? We need a rough estimate so we can plan plane reservations and accommodations. Also, I know many would like to bring family members, so we need to know if these family members would also like to view the observatories. The observatories can easily accommodate 20-30, but more people than that would require several visits with us taking turns. 3 - The Big Island and Maui are a given. Should we also schedule a trip to Oahu while we are there? The two islands with the observatories and all the other things those islands have to offer will easily fill a week. Oahu would be a brief layover. We can do it, but should that be an optional trip? Get back to Rob and I, either on our e-mails or through the list serve, ASAP with your thoughts so we can start putting this together, giving you an itinerary and prices. -A
On 08 Jul 2007, at 21:33, Ann House wrote:
...I am attaching a photo of the Faulkes Telescope* on Maui.
The list does not allow attachments (something to do with attachments being used by lowlifes to spread bugs). If you want you can sent it to me and I'll put it in the temporary part of my site and link to it here.
1 - When do we go?
The sooner the better. :)
And off season would be the least expensive way to go, which means we don't go when it is 10 degrees here.
Personally I would not spending a bit more to escape the snow here.
2 - How many will be going?
Just me.
3 - Should we also schedule a trip to Oahu while we are there?
If we do I'd like to see a trip to the USS Arizona memorial. But I could do that on my own some other time so for this trip I'm neutral on an Oahu excursion. One non-astronomy place I would like to visit is the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. pw p.s. Speaking of volcanoes, I see the views from Kilauea are pretty impressive today: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/cam
One non-astronomy place I would like to visit is the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. pw HVO has a great view overlooking the Kilauea Caldera (inactive) the best part is to take a hike into the caldera (BRING GPS about 2X3mi.) where you'll find steam vents, sulphur crystals, hot ponds, lava steam caves and another world feeling. Aloha Rob
On 08 Jul 2007, at 22:18, Rob Ratkowski Photography wrote:
...the best part is to take a hike into the caldera (BRING GPS about 2X3mi.) where you'll find steam vents, sulphur crystals, hot ponds, lava steam caves and another world feeling.
Wow! I take it you've been there? If others in our august expedition agree I'd definitely like to see that hike added to the trip. pw
Patrick been in the Kilauea Caldera lots over a period of 3 years where we did steam cave measurements, mapping lava caves, and survey of volcanic features. I always imagined being on another planet because of the very different look of the landscape in the caldera. It was always a kick to wave to people up at the volcano observatory, they looked REAL small, we looked smaller. Aloha Rob
All As far as when to go I would suggest we go when we can see some cool stuff in the southern hemisphere from the observatories in Hawaii There is a nonstop flight from slc to maui so it is not necessary to layover in Oahu if you don't want to Bob Bob Moore Commerce CRG - Salt Lake City office 175 East 400 South, Suite 700 Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 Direct: 801-303-5418 Main: 801-322-2000 Fax: 801-322-2040 BMoore@commercecrg.com www.commercecrg.com -----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+bmoore=commercecrg.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+bmoore=commercecrg.com@mailman.xmission.c om] On Behalf Of Ann House Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 9:34 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Hawaii Observatories Expedition All, As you have become aware, Rob Ratkowski and I are planning a trip to the Hawaiian Islands to visit the *Haleakala Observatories* on Maui and the *Mauna Kea Observatories *on the Big island. Too get you further excited, I am attaching a photo of the Faulkes Telescope* on Maui. Rob and I have a few questions that we need answered before we can go any further with our planning. 1 - When do we go? Any time is a wonderful time to go, but for the best chance of clear skies and low winds, mid-spring on into early winter may be best. And off season would be the least expensive way to go, which means we don't go when it is 10 degrees here. Rob has some suggestions: Spring 2008 (May specifically for their Astronomy Day festivities), Nov 2007 for the lunar eclipse, and 2012 is Venus transit and Hawaii is fantastically placed. What are your thoughts? 2 - How many will be going? We need a rough estimate so we can plan plane reservations and accommodations. Also, I know many would like to bring family members, so we need to know if these family members would also like to view the observatories. The observatories can easily accommodate 20-30, but more people than that would require several visits with us taking turns. 3 - The Big Island and Maui are a given. Should we also schedule a trip to Oahu while we are there? The two islands with the observatories and all the other things those islands have to offer will easily fill a week. Oahu would be a brief layover. We can do it, but should that be an optional trip? Get back to Rob and I, either on our e-mails or through the list serve, ASAP with your thoughts so we can start putting this together, giving you an itinerary and prices. -A _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.utahastronomy.com
participants (4)
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Ann House -
Bob Moore -
Patrick Wiggins -
Rob Ratkowski Photography