On the first Saturday of each month, the Visitor Information Station (VIS) hosts The Universe Tonight, a special presentation on the current research and discoveries occurring on Mauna Kea. The presentation begins at 6:00 PM and is followed by the regular evening stargazing program at the VIS.
The Universe Tonight typically features an astronomer from one of the observatories on Mauna Kea giving a presentation on recent observations and discoveries from their telescope. Observatories are on a rotating schedule. If you would like to know about upcoming presentations, please call the VIS at (808) 961 2180 during operational hours.
The Astrophysics Club at the University of Hawaii at Hilo hosts the stargazing program on the second Saturday of each month during the school year. The students that partake in this club are mainly aspiring astronomers actively involved in the cutting edge of astronomy with the faculty at the local university.
On the third Saturday of the month, the VIS hosts Malalo I Ka Lani Po, a special presentation covering cultural components that surround Mauna O Wakea. The presentation begins at 6:00 PM and is followed by the regular evening stargazing program.
Each month features a different speaker from the community who will speak about Mauna O Wakea from a cultural perspective.
For the fourth Saturday of the month, the international Volunteers from the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hawaii Community College grace the visitors with music during the stargazing program. A variety of instruments, singers and genres of music are heard during this whimsical night.
During some well-known meteor showers, the Visitor Information Station stays open beyond the normal 10:00 pm closing time. VIS volunteers are present during the event to help with the telescopes and to answer any questions that may arise. The volunteers are also available to run the telescopes throughout the night. Meteor Showers that regularly occur and may have an all night star party associated with them are:
Perseid Meteor Shower (August)
Leonid Meteor Shower (November)
For information about the specific peak night that the VIS will be open, please call the VIS during operational hours.