Reviews of "A Gentle Rain of Starlight: The Story of Astronomy on Mauna Kea"

"The story of astronomy in Hawai‘i deals in the main with the giant telescopes built on the summit of Mauna Kea. Professor Michael J. West, of the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, who teaches classes and makes frequent journeys to the telescopes on Mauna Kea, where he studies the formation and evolution of galaxies, has written a history for the layman that describes how and why the giant tools were brought to the summit of a place long held sacred to the Hawaiian people. A Gentle Rain of Starlight: The Story of Astronomy of Mauna Kea (Island Heritage, Honolulu, 2005) is profusely illustrated, with more than a hundred entrancing photos of the stars, the skies and life in and about Hawaii’s cosmic home." - Spirit of Aloha

"While it is primarily about astronomy at the mountain's summit and thirteen of the biggest and most sophisticated telescopes ever built, the book also touches upon the cultural significance of the mountain to Native Hawaiians and the mountain's history and the controversy over its future. Full-color photographs, most taken by the author, with many others courtesy of the Mauna Kea observatories, Hawaii State Archives, NASA and other photographers." - Astronomical Society of the Pacific

"What goes on up there in the observatories atop Mauna Kea? University of Hawai'i professor Michael West gives readers an insider's perspective... The best parts are when he describes what it's actually like to be up there: "On a moonless night, the skies over Mauna Kea are so dark that the glow of the Milky Way casts shadows across the landscape."" - Honolulu Advertiser

"West's book is not exactly unbiased. You'd never know about the decades of acrimonious battles between the astronomy community vs. environmentalists and native Hawaiians. But the photography is gorgeous and the discussion of the scientists' work is illuminating." - Hawaii Island Journal

"A Gentle Rain of Starlight: The Story of Astronomy on Mauna Kea, by Michael J. West, is a beautifully illustrated paean to this amazing mountain. The author is an astronomer with extensive observing experience. His words and pictures exemplify the feelings of reverence and exultation astronomers have for Mauna Kea, which is characterized as the greatest observing location on Earth. The telescopes are pictured and described with insights into the different types of research each produces." - Na Kilo Hoku

"Amateur astronomers and photographers alike will enjoy the latest release about the history of astronomy on Mauna Kea. A Gentle Rain of Starlight, The Story of Astronomy on Mauna Kea, weaves a tale of scientific discovery with photographs and text." - West Hawaii Today

"In A Gentle Rain of Starlight: The Story of Astronomy on Mauna Kea (Island Heritage Publishing), UH Hilo Professor of Astronomy Michael J. West compiles a sumptuous record of the history of astronomy on the mountain, the people involved and the discoveries made. The title—a reference to photons, droplets of starlight that fall onto telescope mirrors—hints at the often poetic text. An abundance of photos—historic, documentary and artistic—gives even the armchair traveler a taste of the mountain’s beauties and working conditions." - Malamalama

A Gentle Rain of Starlight: The Story of Astronomy on Mauna Kea by Michael J. West is available from Amazon.com, Island Heritage Publishing, Borders, Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, Hawaii Forest & Trail, and other booksellers.