Originally Posted by
bocastephen
I thought I would share a separate discussion regarding the drive up to Mauna Kea based on my own experience this past week - significantly different from all of the other drives I've taken over many years. There are now multiple rangers positioned at the exit of the visitor's center parking lot checking cars exiting, the road itself is closed at the visitor's center lot entrance, directing all cars into the lot.
5. There are now two parking lots below the summit where you can stop on the way down for star gazing, but in everyone's opinion, the stars are clearer at the visitor's center - not sure if this is true, or they just want everyone off the summit and down to the visitor's center
It is true. I dont remember all the science of it, but it is because of how the human eye/brain works that we can actually see better with more atmosphere than at very high altitude with thinner atmosphere. Generally, astronomists recommend being at 5,000-8,000 ft for the best viewing with the human eye. Above that, there is less oxygen which degrades the efficiency of the human eye.