What are a few reasons why Hawaii is a good location for a telescope?

Answer 1

There is a fair amount of altitude plus the light pollutions is low.

Answer 2

Hawaiian telescopes are generally located on Mauna Kea at 14,400 feet altitude. This provides thinner, colder, less turbulent air improving the visibility. (the "twinkling" we see from stars is a result of the opposite of these factors). At that altitude, there is a bit less atmosphere to peer through, reducing the light refraction from the atmosphere. Hawaii also has extremely low atmospheric pollution compared to other locations, also reducing the loss / refraction of light traveling through the atmosphere. This location also experiences very few cloudy days / nights and those cloudy periods are very short due to the lack of land mass to slow down the weather systems. Being near the equator also gives a wider field of view of the star field as the Earth rotates. Being near the equator also reduces the average distance light must travel through the atmosphere for any particular area of the night sky (see reasons mentioned earlier)

Answer 3

Most telescopes in Hawaii are located on Mauna Kea, a volcano. It's about 14,000 feet up, so there's not a lot of air turbulence compared to sea level. The air is less dense and colder, both of which are good for 'seeing', or little air turbulence. It's the turbulence that causes stars to twinkle, so the less of it you have, the better. Plus, it's far away from cities, so you don't get as much light pollution, and it's near the equator, so you can see much more of the sky than you could from say, Maine. Oh, and the weather is good. They get something like 300 clear skies a year up there, or more.

Answer 4

It's close to the equator, there is little in the way of light pollution anywhere near the site - plus it is off the flight paths in the area. Add to that the fact that they are stationed at high altitude, so there is less atmosphere between it and the stars.

It's the same reason the telescope in South America is where it is. :D

Answer 5

If you can get away from the cities and to a high altitude you get good viewing. If you're stuck near a big city in the humid air, you're screwed.

Answer 6

Clearer skies, less light pollution, thinner atmosphere, less water vapor, it's above the clouds.

Answer 7

a fair amount of altitude and not alot of cities and lights reflecting

Answer 8

surfing
windsurfing
kite surfing
swimming
hiking
horseback riding