Andrew

A Rainy Morning in the Park

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is famous for eruptions and lava, so many come hoping to see this spectacle of nature. The park is also famous for the crowds, particularly at the more popular viewpoints and trailheads. While the park is enormous, only a small portion of the park is easily accessible and even then the crowds tend to concentrate at the summit of Kilauea and along the rim of the caldera.

A rainforest atop Kilauea dominated by ‘ōhi‘a and hāpuʻu ferns

Those like myself who enjoy the park will often plan outings specifically to avoid the crowds, and fortunately this is relatively easy to do. Visiting the lesser used sections of the park is a good tactic. A visit to the park’s Kahuku unit is a good choice. Or perhaps a hike into the Ka‘u Desert.

Sometime you want to see the popular sections, this is also possible. One major hint… Early mornings.

Crowned Cranes

Orion and Meteor

Orion, Taurus rising over Ahumoa with aand possible Southern Taurid meteor — Orion rising over Puʻuahumoa with a possible Southern Taurid meteor

Lava Monster

Hand of Lava — Lava from the Kilauea volcano enters the ocean at Kamokuna

Just before Halloween 2016 I took this photo of lava dripping over the cliff at Kamokuna. Was immediately struck by how much it looked like some giant hand with severed fingers, dripping lava blood into the sea.

Eruption Dawn

The active vent erupts lava as the dawn illuminates Mauna Loa behind — The active vent erupts lava in Kilauea caldera as the dawn illuminates Mauna Loa behind

Kingfisher

Dead End Road

A fragment of the old Crater Rim Drive perched on a fallen block in Kilauea Caldera

First Glimpse of an Evening Comet

Made my first attempt at comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) in the evening sky. I knew it would probably not be spectacular just yet, still low and lost in the glow, but it is there.

The comet was a binocular object only, just visible quite low in the golden sunset glow. A weather system passing the islands brought bands of cirrus to complicate the issue.

For this quick attempt I headed for the dry forest and wiliwili trees along Waikoloa Road just outside the village. A pretty evening even if the comet was not at its best just yet. Another attempt is planned for this evening if the clouds hold off, the comet should be 5° higher against that dark blue.

Yes, it is there in the photo. Lost in the golden glow low and just left of center…

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS)

Along with much of the astronomy community I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) since its discovery last year.

As orbital parameters and brightness estimates were calculated it became apparent that this comet had the potential to be one of the brightest comets in decades. Better yet, the show would be available to both hemisperes, not just for those south of the equator like Comet C/2006 P1 McNaught back in 2007.

As the comet passes perihelion, it’s close approach to the Sun on Sept 27th, it will briefly appear in the dawn. As maximum elongation conveniently happened on the weekend I planned an outing to meet this icy visitor.

Author: Andrew