Guide Blogs

Yet another fun-filled trip to the summit of Mauna Kea last night. We had the best weather I've seen in a couple of weeks. Beautiful views on the way up from saddle road looking back at sun rays falling through the clouds over Pu'u Wa'awa'a, Mauna Loa was spectacular with it's dusting of snow at it's peak, and puffy clouds ringing Mauna Kea like a haku lei.

Weather at the summit was very clear and Venus was brilliant just after sunset.

The big suprise came at the VIS. Even with a bright sliver of Moon, my guests found, what is for me a new record of 17 satellites!! They were like bloodhounds searching the heavens for the slightest movement. They were relentless. It was great.

Just being under the stars for me is always a thrill, but last night I was lucky enough to be with a group who felt the same way. Oooing and aweing at natures wonder. This is why I do what I do. Being witness to the connection of man and nature. That's a treat.

Shortly after lunch this afternoon I noticed quite a bit of commotion. Everyone of our Mauna Kea summit guides were huddled around 4 stout boxes. What would draw in Merrit, Greg, and Jon on their days off? Why was Blake so giddy? And what was making Buck stand back and nod in sublime approval? I ventured down out of the perch to investigate, because, as my office-mate often notes, I am n๎ele.  Chris: Buck, what’s going on? Buck: We’re discussing...

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Aloha,

Was a beautiful evening on Mauna Kea last night. Weather at the summit was relatively warm and winds were light. With a nice clear sky we were able to see Venus, Saturn & Mars just after sunset.

At the VIS we one of those "in-your-face" kinda skies. The Milky Way was magnificent and you couldn't ask for more stars. In the telescope we saw Saturn, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Alberio, and Whirlpool Galaxy.

Thank you Merritt for a great night and to all our guests who came along.

A hui hou

Weather at the summit was cold with some wind. We had high cirrus which gave us some wicked colors at sunset, but did a good job blocking Saturn and Venus.

At the VIS we had mostly clear skies with clouds in the Southern sky and again winds from the NE.

However, we saw Alberio, Jupiter, Lagoon Nebula, Ring Nebula, 2 meteors and lots of other twinkling lights.

Until next time.....

 

What a great night on Mauna Kea!!

Lots of thick clouds plagued our ascent up the mountain, but it was wonderfully clear at the summit. We enjoyed a great sunset and saw Venus on the horizon. On our way back down we noticed clouds at the VLBA and decided to stargaze at 13,000'. It was nice and warm for that elevation and there were many ooo's and awww's.

Objects sighted: Moon rise, Mars, Saturn, Venus, Jupiter, Alberio, Omega Centauri, 3 meteors, 1 Satellite and 1 Pueo on the way home.

Thanks to Blake and to everyone else who wondered with us.

~Jon

Another great night on the 16th. Happy Birthday to me.

Objects seen:

1. Jupiter
2. Alberio
3. Lagoon Nebula
4. Ring Nebula
5. Whirlpool Galaxy
6. Bunch of Meteors
7. Gaggle of satellites
8. .....2 more donkeys

Happy viewing.

Jon

The Perseids are coming.

Venus was finally too low for us to see from the summit.

Mostly clear skies except for some high cirrus in the west.

Objects viewed:

1. Jupiter
2. Alberio
3. Whirlpool Galaxy
4. Lagoon Nebula
5. 6 Meteors
6. 4 Satellites
7. 2 Donkeys

Happy viewing for Friday.

Jon Knight

Beautiful night at the summit.

Highlights of the night:

1. Jupiter
2. Venus
3. Alberio
4. Lagoon Nebula
5. Whirlpool Galaxy
6. 3-4 Meteors
7. 2-Satellites

Happy viewing.

Jon Knight

Aloha,
Great views last night from the summit. The inversion layer settled back to 6-8000ft which gave us a great sky.
Wonderful colors at sunset and another close up of Venus just before she slipped below the horizon.
With no moon, seeing was great.
Objects viewed:

1. Jupiter
2. Venus
3. Alberio
4. Whirlpool Galaxy
5. Lagoon Nebula
6. 5 Meteors
7. 4 Satellites

To all our guests who summited, thanks for all the great questions.

Until next time....
Happy viewing.
Jon Knight

Fun was had by all on the summit last night.
Unsure what to expect on the way up as we contemplated the lack of a discernible inversion layer. However, we weren't disappointed. We witnessed a great sunset even got to gaze at Venus and Jupiter from the summit through our scopes.
Clouds moved into the South and East at the beginning of our star show but soon cleared leaving us with spectacular night sky.
My eagle-eyed group spotted 5 satellites and about 3 meteors.

Other objects included:

1. Whirlpool Galaxy
2. Alberio
3. Ring Nebula
4. Jupiter (just one more time)   
   

Mahalo and Aloha
Jon Knight           

This is my first blog attempt. 

Is the volcano going to blow? Where we gonna go when it does??  I don know where Im a gonna go when the volcano blow!

Hi Everyone, Just a quick note to let you all know that the Hawaii Forest & Trail guide blogs are now live.  Over the next couple of days, I'll be showing the guides how to use the blog and assigning user names, so check back often to see updates on your favorite nature adventures and from your favorite Interpretive Guide! Aloha, Chris

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