November is set to be an exciting month for astronomy lovers, with the biggest super moon since 1948 peaking in the sky on the 14th, and the Taurid and Leonid Meteor Showers on the 11th and 16th, according to National Geographic. People will be flocking to large open fields to watch the amazing celestial shows, but for super fans, here are the best observatories in the world to watch this amazing spectacle.
Check out this article for fun travel activities for moon lovers.
1. Mauna Kea Observatory, Hawaii, United States
On the summit of Mauna Kea mountain, on Hawaii's big island, the MKO is the world's largest array of optical, infrared and submillimeter astronomical equipment. At 14,000 feet above sea level, the skies are clear 90% of the year, and the volcanic activity of the active volcano also attracts tourists.
This observatory is accessible every Saturday and Sunday at 1pm via a 4-wheel-drive.
2. Very Large Telescope, Chile
The VLT at the Cerro Paranal, Atacama Desert in Northern Chile is actually made up of four individual telescopes, named Antu, Kueyen, Melipal, Yepun, meaning Sun, Moon, Southern Cross, and Venus in the indigenous Mapuche language, according to Conde Nast Traveler.
Chile is a well-known hotspot for science, with at least a dozen observatories open to the public. The VLT in particular offers free, guided tours from 10am to 2pm on Saturdays.
3. Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico
According to 10 Most Today, it is one of the telescopes known for taking part in the SETI or Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence, among the world's observatories. The radio telescope is the world's largest single aperture telescope at 1,000 ft, and was managed by Cornell University up until 2011.
4. Sydney Observatory, Australia
Acting as a planetarium and museum open from 10am to 5pm daily, the Sydney Observatory also has amazing views of Darling Harbor and the Harbor Bridge. With advanced reservations, travelers can enjoy a night time visit and get to use one of the Observatory's two telescopes, a computer-controlled reflecting telescope and a vintage 1874 refracting telescope, the oldest one in Australia.
5. Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, Canary Islands, Spain
The Canary Islands are a haven for astronomy having so-called "Sky Laws" that help protect the quality of the atmosphere in the area. Perched on the edge of a caldera at 8,000 feet above sea level, it hosts the 1-m Solar Telescope, the largest in Europe. In addition, more than 60 scientific institutions from over 17 different countries have set up on the islands because of the great viewing conditions here. Tours around the Observatory may be booked online in advance and take place Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
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