Revealed: The Highest 24/7 Live Camera on Earth

Located near the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii, which is part of the United States, this live camera from the Subaru Telescope offers one of the highest continuously operating public livestreams on Earth. Positioned at an elevation of approximately 4,200 meters (13,800 feet) above sea level, the camera provides real-time views from one of the world’s most extreme permanent observation sites.

Mauna Kea rises far above the Pacific Ocean, placing its summit above much of Earth’s atmosphere. This unique location is why the mountain hosts some of the planet’s most advanced astronomical observatories. The live camera reflects these conditions, showing rapidly changing weather, intense sunlight, cloud layers below the summit, and frequent snowfall during colder periods.

Unlike temporary expedition cameras or seasonal high-altitude installations, this feed operates continuously, 24-hours a day, making it the highest reliably live-streamed camera available to the public outside of space-based platforms such as the International Space Station.

The camera offers a rare glimpse into life and conditions at extreme altitude, where oxygen levels are lower, weather is unpredictable, and the environment resembles that of high alpine and polar regions. It stands as a striking example of how technology allows real-time access to some of the most inaccessible places on Earth.

Fun fact: The Subaru Telescope, operated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), features an 8.2-meter optical-infrared mirror and is located among the world’s highest observatories on Mauna Kea.

For similar live streams, check-out our Space and Astronomy Live Feeds or have a play around with our Live Interactive World Webcams Map.