NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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  1. Question

    Does Hawaii have an observatory organized by NASA?

    There are two large international observatories in Hawaii, on the summits of Mauna Kea and Haleakala. NASA has contributed to the development of both sites. The primary facilities for astrobiology are on Mauna Kea, on the Big Island of Hawaii, at an altitude of more than 4000 m (almost 14,000 feet). These include the 2.4-m University of Hawaii telescope, originally funded by NASA, the 3-m Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF), which was funded and continues to be operated by NASA, and the twin 10-m Keck telescopes, where NASA has contributed to both construction and operations costs.

    David Morrison
    NAI Senior Scientist

    October 3, 2005