Hawai'i is one of a handful of places where it will be possible to see the event as it happens.

NASA scientists predict a pre-4th of July fireworks show of squint-worthy proportions as the impact probe is essentially run over by the comet, likely producing a brief flash and a plume of debris visible to the naked eye (if the skies cooperate) for hours or even days.

The impact is expected to create a crater on the comet ranging anywhere from the size of a house to the area of a stadium. By exposing pristine material from the comet's nucleus, scientists hope to gain insight into nothing less than the creation of the solar system.

"It's deep-space geology," said University of Hawai'i astronomer and asteroid expert Robert Jedicke. "Basically, we're banging on a comet the size of Honolulu with a big hammer so we can find out what's inside.

"Comets are very old and very cold," Jedicke said. "They're like time capsules. Because they spend most of their time at great distances from the sun, inside they are in a state of deep freeze unchanged from since the formation of the solar system 4 billion years ago, and that is what makes them pristine objects to answer questions about how the solar system formed."

The craft will punch a crater ranging in size from a house to a football stadium, two to seven stories deep. A series of copper plates form a dome, which will open up the crater.

The world's three largest telescopes, for example, are working together to maximize their individual strengths.

The Subaru Telescope will characterize the strength of the comet's surface using mid-infrared imaging to determine the size and distribution of rubble generated by the collision.

The Keck Telescopes will determine the composition of cometary ices and dust underneath the comet's surface through high-resolution spectroscopy.

And the Gemini North Telescope will monitor changes in dust composition around the comet using mid-infrared observation before, during and after the impact. This will help determine if the comet's pristine sub-surface material is similar to that of Earth and other rocky planets.

"I'm pretty geeked," said amateur astronomer Brian Grimes of Kapolei. "This is science fiction come to life."

Grimes, 47, is still undecided about where he'll do his viewing. He's tempted to lug his 14-inch telescope to a favorite secret spot away from city lights, but he also thinks sharing the experience with folks gathered at the Bishop Museum would be fun.

In fact, astronomy enthusiasts will have no shortage of opportunities to view the event and learn more about the science behind the project. (See box)

"Even if the impact isn't all it's cracked up to be visually, all the planning and coordinating it took just to reach that moment is just tremendous," he said. "It's like playing (the video game) 'Asteroids' and winding up with the Dead Sea Scrolls."

Ever prepared, the Girl Scout Council of Hawai'i has been ramping up for Sunday's event with a weeklong educational program for selected scouts here and from the Mainland.

With support from NASA, the local Girl Scout council is hosting some 22 scouts from Arizona, Colorado, New Jersey, Rhode Island and other states.

"With Deep Impact, we're trying promote an understanding of the world and encourage women to stay interested in science and math," said Girl Scout Council of Hawai'i CEO Gail Mukaihata Hannemann.

The scouts' weeklong program draws connections between the advanced science of the Deep Impact project with Polynesian celestial navigation and wayfinding, and culminates with telescope training and observation on Mauna Kea this weekend.

Local scout Aime'e Frisbee of Mililani said she can't wait.

Frisbee, 17, said she's been interested in astronomy ever since she saw the film "Apollo 13" years ago. This will be her first experience behind a large telescope.

"I'm very excited," she said. "This is what I want to do."