Is stargazing in Hawaiʻi a thing? With so many things to do in the Aloha State, it may be difficult to believe that stargazing is actually one more thing you should add to your “to do list” when you fly here for a visit!
Spring is in full effect here in Hawaiʻi! The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and our beaches are full of locals and tourists soaking up their daily dose of Vitamin D.
But what to do after the sun sets?
The best reason to go stargazing in Hawaiʻi
If you’re planning to visit Hawaiʻi, it just so happens that the state is home to some of the most incredible stargazing opportunities on the planet! Not only that, but this time of the year, we even get a special treat in the form of the Southern Cross constellation.
Generally, the Southern Cross is easily seen from the Southern Hemisphere and for those of you who are lucky enough to be in Hawaiʻi this time of the year, we can actually see this prominent constellation as it is located in a bright portion of the Milky Way. This is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss if you plan on making the most of your vacation here!
Interesting facts about the Southern Cross
Even though the Southern Cross is the smallest constellation in the night sky, it is also the most distinct.
Dating back 10-20 million years ago, the Southern Cross is made up of 5 stars: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon Crucis. The stars form an asterisk that really looks more like a kite, as opposed to a cross. While facing south, Acrux (Alpha Crucis) is the brightest star of the constellation, marking the bottom of the Southern Cross, which points to the South Pole. It’s always so much fun pointing it out to our guests when the sky allows for the stargazing portion of our Deluxe Volcano Experience.
Stargazing in Hawaiʻi is truly a unique experience
If you’re interested in learning more about stargazing in Hawaiʻi, you should know that at 21 degrees North Latitude, you can see both the Northern Hemisphere and most of the Southern Hemisphere. In fact, Hawaiʻi the only state in the US where you can see both the North Star and the Southern Cross.
Furthermore, of all the stars that are visible from the planet Earth, from Hawaiʻi you can see over 80% of them! Our guides love showing this off during the Spring and early Summer. That said, you should definitely come check it out on our volcano tours!
Final thoughts on the beauty if stargazing in Hawaiʻi
For centuries, we’ve looked to the sky both day and night. Looking for answers…only to ask more questions. We can only be in awe of our ancestors who recognized these patterns and were able to use them to their advantage, helping them to understand the seasons and navigating the oceans, not by looking around them, but instead looking up to the heavens for guidance.
