Maunakea Observatories
W. M. Keck Observatory is part of the Maunakea Observatories community – a collaboration of nonprofit independent institutions with telescopes located on Maunakea on the island of Hawaiʻi. Together, the Observatories make Maunakea the most scientifically productive site for astronomy worldwide.
The 10 telescopes on Maunakea are operated by 9 separate nonprofit observatories. Each has its own strengths with varying fields of view and sensitivities to light from radio to ultraviolet wavelengths. They are all important to the scientific productivity of Maunakea.
Discover Maunakea Observatories in your community, including:
Kamaʻāina Observatory Experience: Free tour of the Maunakea Observatories for up to 48 Hawaiʻi residents per month. Offers an opportunity to visit the summit, see telescopes, and learn about Maunakea.
Maunakea Scholars: Provides Hawaiʻi public high school students an opportunity to conduct research using Maunakea Observatories telescopes under the mentorship of astronomers. Over a dozen Hawaiʻi Department of Education schools participate in the program across the state.
Journey Through the Universe: An annual event that has been providing hands-on STEM education classroom visits for Hawaiʻi Island students in Pre-K to 12th grade for over 17 years. In 2020 alone, more than 80 astronomy educators visited over 8,800 students in 300 classrooms.
Maunakea Astronomy Outreach Committee: Coordinates and organizes the Maunakea Observatories astronomy education and outreach efforts in Hawaiʻi, including AstroDay, Mauankea Coin Contest, MKO@Home, and more.