Waimea.
The definitive guide to dark skies and celestial observation in Waimea, HI. Verified using National Park Service and NASA Night Sky Network Clubs data.
Quick Guide for Waimea
- Top Community Pick: local vantage points (~N/A miles)
- Best Scientific Reading: Bortle 1.0 at Puu Poliahu
- Local Experts: West Hawaii Astronomy Club
- Verified Observations: 0 distinct spots
If you’re looking to escape the light pollution of Waimea, you’re in luck. While enthusiasts often gather at local vantage points for its accessibility, scientific audits conducted by the National Park Service at Puu Poliahu provide the most accurate reading of the regional sky quality, measuring at a Bortle 1.0. The local landscape of Waimea offers several pockets of darkness that are perfect for deep-sky observation.
The Best Times for Stargazing in Waimea
For the best results in Waimea, aim for a ‘New Moon’ window. In these dark-sky conditions, the absence of moonlight allows the Milky Way to cast visible shadows.
Expert Tips for Waimea Observers
Before heading out to local vantage points, we recommend arriving during civil twilight to scout the terrain safely. For the best views the site, try to observe targets when they are highest in the sky to minimize atmospheric interference. Local enthusiasts often frequent this spot, making it a great place to meet experienced observers. Regardless of your gear, allow 30 minutes for your eyes to fully dark-adapt.
Hawaii Guide
Local Top Spots
Community-vetted locations known for clear horizons and accessibility for telescopes and astrophotography.
NPS Sky Measurements
Instrumented readings from the National Park Service Night Sky Program, providing the most accurate SQM and Bortle classifications.
Puu Poliahu
Mauna Kea Observatory
"seeing good-very good, transparency excellent, vog from Kilauea Crater to south and west, but below observing location. Light dome from Honolulu seen fairly bright but small. Waimea in the clear, unshielded light seen below the horizon. More airglow tonight than last, Zodiacal light very bright early. No clouds, a flawless sky, Bortle Class 1 if you consider to the true horizon. Virtually no light domes. Visual observations impaired by high altitude, not reliable indicator of sky quality compared with lower altitude locations because of lack of oxygen. Still, the center of the Milky Way tracking nearly overhead is extremely impressive, details in the prancing horse easy, fingers of Ophiuchus are seen with only a little difficulty. SQM 21.81 end of first set. Wind steady at 10-15 mph."
Mauna Kea Summit
Mauna Kea Observatory
"Low clouds extensive all quadrants, below not obscuring sky, Haleakala sticking up above clouds, possibly one of the peaks on Ohau, north side of big island covered with clouds. City lights of Waimea seen direct, Kona coast occasionally seen through clouds, many unshielded lights low pressure sodium seen from here. Transparency excellent, seeing fair, settling down as night progresses to good. Antares 35-40 degrees above horizon, long period twinkling, no short-period atmospheric shear type twinkling seen tonight as was the last two nights. End of astronomical twilight some clouds to west and north, near the horizon, low clouds covering most of east coast, west coast patchy, lights showing through. Hilo masked by true summit, nothing showing above it in terms of a light dome. Horizon brightness to the east slightly brighter than north or south, however. Zodiacal light strong through Leo, band seen through Spica, east of that not seen, gegenschein is obliterated by Milky Way. SQM meter 21.80 beginning of first data set. Seeing good. Alpha Centauri still twinkling by 11 PM but seeing good overall, excellent overhead. Green laser from observatories will be part of the images. Automobile headlights in first set. Summit of Mauna Kea, 7.1 ZLM, low clouds clearing partially revealing unshielded lights of Hilo area. SQM 21.75 11 PM, 21.66 as Milky Way moves overhead. Airglow brightening slightly, especially to northwest, melding with Zodiacal Light, definite green color, especially around the bowl of the Big Dipper, into the Coma Berenices, seems brighter NNW than SSE. Bortle class 1."
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