KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

The tour group approaches the telescopes while Pable McLoud, right, Senior Interpretive Guide at the Visitor Information Station talks at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

Summit of Mauna Kea seen at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

Mary Beth Laychak, Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), explains the daily functions that go on in the CFHT at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

Mary Beth Laychak, Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), explains the daily functions that go on in the CFHT control room at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

Views of the basement of the Gemini International Observatory at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

Cooper Nakayama, Senior Mechanical Technician for the Gemini International Observatory works on components of the Gemini telescope in their on site workshop at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

Cooper Nakayama, Senior Mechanical Technician for the Gemini International Observatory works on components of the Gemini telescope at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

Joy Pollard, tour guide and graphic designer for the Gemini International Observatory explains the everyday functions from the control room at the Gemini telescope at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

Joseph Damato, project administrator for Gemini International Observatory checks the oxygen levels of Mary Beth Laychak, Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) along with other members of the tour as they enter the Gemini telescope at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

Gemini International Observatory seen in the distance as a group tours the 360-degree balcony of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

Mary Beth Laychak, Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), explains the daily functions that go on in the CFHT at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

The Gemini International Observatory telescope 8 meter mirror was exposed and shown in action at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

The Gemini International Observatory telescope 8 meter mirror was exposed at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

The Gemini International Observatory telescope was shown in action at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

The inversion layer hangs thick with vog seen from 10,500 ft. from Mauna Kea at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

Gemini International Observatory seen in the distance as a group tours the 360-degree balcony of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

Gemini International Observatory seen at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

Gemini International Observatory seen at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

Emergency equipment at Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.

KRYSTLE MARCELLUS / KMARCELLUS@STARADVERTISER.COM

Seizen Tsuha, mechanical technician for Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope moves the shutter into place as he demonstrates the functionality of the telescope at the media preview of a Kamaaina Observatory Experience at Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 which will be free and open to the public on Jan. 16, 2016.