Hawaii's Observatories

Study Leader - Michael Shara

Michael Shara is curator in the American Museum of Natural History’s Division of Physical Sciences. His research interests include the evolution and explosions of novae and super novae; hunting for planets orbiting other stars; and the populations of stars inhabiting dense clusters and galaxies. He frequently observes with the Hubble ...more

Summary

We are pleased to invite you to join Dr. Michael Shara, Curator in the Museum's Division of Physical Sciences, as he leads an astrophysics symposium to Hawaii. No specific scientific background is required to fully appreciate and participate in this exploration of the origins of our universe.

Regarding this expedition Dr. Shara says, "Many astronomers, myself included, feel that Hawaii is as close to heaven as you can get. Of course there are gorgeous beaches, tropical rainforests and some of the newest land on Earth, generated by copious lava flows. But for astronomers it's the night skies at the summits of Haleakala and Mauna Kea that draw us back again and again. Above the clouds which block out the lights of coastal towns we'll visit the world's most sophisticated observatories. At the top of Mauna Kea we'll be almost halfway out of Earth's atmosphere, and our plan is to observe planets, star clusters and galaxies with a clarity unmatched anywhere else on our planet."

Itinerary Summary

• Day 1: HOME CITY - MAUI
• Day 2: MAUI
• Day 3: MAUI
• Day 4: MAUI - HILO - VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
• Day 5: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
• Day 6: VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK - KONA
• Day 7: KONA
• Day 8: KONA
• Day 9: KONA
• Day 10: KONA – HOME CITY