History of Astronomy in Hawai`i

John Jefferies founded the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy July 1, 1967.

Building upon the research program in solar physics and the observatory on Haleakala founded by Walter Steiger in 1961, Jefferies expanded the program to include planetary, stellar and extragalactic astronomy, and oversaw the building of the first telescopes on Mauna Kea.

Here are their personal accounts of the early days of astronomy in Hawai`i

Walter Steiger

         Origins of Astronomy in Hawai`i

 John Jefferies

         Astronomy in Hawaii 1964-1970

Historical Photos