Figure 2-28 RIVUXG The Telescopes of Mauna Kea Mauna Kea—an extinct Hawaiian volcano that reaches more than 13,600 ft (4145 m) above the waters of the Pacific—has nighttime skies that are unusually clear, still, and dark. To take advantage of these superb viewing conditions, Mauna Kea has become the home to some of the world’s most advanced telescopes.