This year, travel with The Planetary Society!
DISCOVER HAWAII
From Lava Flows to Observing the Night Skies...
It is simply “Out of this World!”

October 2-9, 2010

We invite you to join us in 2010, as we explore the greatest place on Earth to view our solar system, the planets, and beyond—Hawaii!

In Hawaii, spectacular clear skies and high elevation observatories offer the best viewing in America! Thirteen telescopes focus on the wonders of the night sky, from star clusters to companion galaxies! Scientists can see literally “Out of this World!” into the vastness of space with amazing accuracy.

On this expedition, we will introduce the natural wonders of Hawaii—from lava flows to spectacular sea life! We will also show you some of the great astronomical observatories, which generate an enormous amount of information about our solar system, galaxies, black holes, and beyond!

In Hawaii, earth's forces create new land right before our eyes, as lava streams forth from volcanoes rising 33,000 feet from the ocean floor. The Pacific is home to a profusion of life—from whales to sea turtles, fish to rays, many of which we can see while snorkeling.

More than a thousand years ago, indigenous people followed the stars across the Pacific from Tahiti to settle Hawaii, and brought Polynesian culture with them. In recent centuries, European explorers followed the same stars across the Pacific and discovered Tahiti, Hawaii, and New Zealand!

Our journey will begin in Kailua-Kona—on the dry side of the Big Island of Hawaii—where old black ribbons of lava flow to the sea. Here we will see Galaxy Garden, inspired by planetary artist Jon Lomberg, with a botanic scale model of the Milky Way Galaxy.

We will cross the island between the two largest volcanoes
on Hawaii, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. En route, we will visit the W.M. Keck Observatory headquarters on the famous Parker Ranch to learn about their discoveries.

At 9,300 feet on the slope of Mauna Kea we will visit the Onizuka Visitor Center and then transfer to 4-wheel drive vehicles to go to the summit of Mauna Kea, at 13,796 feet, and see some of the world’s largest observatories. We will stay until sunset for a commanding view in all directions. We will then return to Onizuka to look through telescopes at the wonders of the universe as seen from 19ºN latitude.

At Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, we will see ancient lava formations which built the island and hot molten lava that is flowing to the sea. We will drive as close as we can down the Chain of Craters Road to the two latest eruptions, Halemaumau and Kilauea at the coast.

At the world class ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii we will explore the Hawaiian cultural and navigational understanding of the stars with realtime information obtained from the 13 telescopes on the Big Island.

Throughout our journey, we will explore new discoveries and the continuing effort to unlock the mysteries of the universe and nature's paradise of lava and sea.

We invite travelers with an appetite for adventure and discovery to explore the day and night wonderland of our 50th state this year.

$2,795 + air.

Brochure (Requires an Adobe pdf reader to view)