Technical description:
The Mauna Kea volcano, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, is the best ground based astronomical observation site in the Northern Hemisphere, and the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope sits on one of the best locations near the summit. 

The observatories on Mauna Kea benefit from the high altitude of the site (about 14,000 feet or 4,200 meters), resulting in a clearer and dryer atmosphere, a darker sky, more clear nights per year and most importantly, sharper images, thanks to the low turbulence of the atmosphere at the summit.

As the tourists prepare to leave the summit after viewing the wonderful sunset offered at that altitude, the CFHT dome opens and is prepared for a night of observations.  These ordinarily last 10 hours, with little variation from summer to winter, since Hawaii stands at a latitude of 20 degrees north. 

Credit line: "Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope / 2003"

Copyright © 2003 Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Corporation