Mauna Kea: Between Earth and Sky

Rising 4,205 meters above sea level, Mauna Kea is more than just the highest point in Hawaii, it’s one of the most iconic and scientifically important locations in the world for astronomical observations. Its summit pierces the clouds and stands above 40% of Earth’s atmosphere, offering some of the clearest, driest, and darkest skies on the planet. For those of us working in visual storytelling and science communication, it is a place of almost mythical significance.

Mauna Kea Panorama

I had the incredible opportunity to visit Mauna Kea as part of an official photo and video expedition for NOIRLab, the U.S. national center for ground-based night-time astronomy. As NOIRLab’s audiovisual ambassador, my goal was to capture the grandeur and scientific significance of this remote mountaintop, both in the day and under the stars at night.

The material gathered was created specifically for ultra-high-resolution FullDome planetarium and giant screen formats, where visual fidelity and immersive storytelling are critical. These formats demand meticulous planning, specialized equipment, and precision in every frame, especially when filming in a place as extreme and logistically complex as Mauna Kea.

A Temple of Telescopes

Perched across the summit are several world-renowned observatories operated by international consortia. Among them stands Gemini North, one of two 8.1-meter telescopes in the Gemini Observatory, the other, Gemini South, is located in Chile. Gemini North is a marvel of modern engineering, capable of peering deep into the universe using advanced adaptive optics systems that compensate for atmospheric turbulence. It allows astronomers to study everything from the birth of stars to the most distant galaxies ever observed.

Sharing the summit are other monumental facilities, including the Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope (CFHT), the Subaru Telescope operated by Japan’s National Astronomical Observatory, the Keck I and II telescopes with their revolutionary segmented mirrors, and many others. Each plays a vital role in expanding our understanding of the cosmos and all together, they form one of the most powerful observational sites on Earth.

Life at 4,200 Meters

But working here isn’t easy. At over 4,000 meters, the air contains roughly 60% of the oxygen available at sea level. Even short movements feel labored. Your brain works slower. Headaches, nausea, and dizziness are common and for those carrying heavy camera rigs and motion-control gear, every shot becomes a physical test of endurance.

Sunrises and sunsets on Mauna Kea are otherworldly, but it’s after nightfall that the true magic begins. The sky opens into an impossibly clear dome, revealing a starfield that seems to pulse with depth and texture. On moonless nights, the Milky Way arcs overhead with such intensity that it feels like standing inside a cathedral of light. Under these skies, we captured astrophotography sequences that, I hope, will convey even a fraction of what it feels like to be there.

Photo Credit: International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/P. Horálek (Institute of Physics in Opava)

This was not just a visual expedition — it was a deeply personal and professional experience. Being entrusted with documenting such a significant location, both culturally and scientifically, is something I don’t take lightly. The work done on Mauna Kea — by scientists, engineers, technicians, and cultural stewards alike — is of global importance. I’m proud to play a small part in helping to tell that story, frame by frame.