"The peak of Mauna Kea, a shield volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, is one of the world's most remote places.
The mountain's flat shape, gentle winds, and low humidity make it perfect for watching the stars.
"You add it all up and Mauna Kea is arguably number one in the world as a site for locating telescopes," said Doug Simons, the director of the University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy.
The land on the mountain had been primarily administered by the university since the 1960s, but changes are on the way. A state law passed last month will transfer authority to a new stewardship authority composed of scientists, university officials and people in the local community."
Guillermo Molero reports for NPR July 31, 2022.
Source: NPR, 08/03/2022
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