Top of Hawaii

From the photographer: “There’s more going on in this picture than you might think. This image shows Gemini North (part of International Gemini Observatory), located on Maunakea in Hawai‘i at the altitude of 4214 meters. To the lower left of Gemini is a red glowing light source. This is from the eruption of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater of the Kīlauea volcano, ongoing since late September 2021. Further lower left of Gemini is the faint green light of Hilo, Hawai‘i, mostly hidden by the layer of clouds that often covers the ground as seen from Maunakea. This is a form of light pollution, caused by excessive light shining up into the night sky above. However, protected by the high altitude, the top of Mauna Kea is frequently shielded by a thick blanket of clouds, allowing us to watch the dramatic rising of the Milky Way. The image was taken this April on the NOIRLab photography expedition. The second photo shows a closer view of a cropped part of this panorama.”

Technical details: Canon Ra, Sigma 35mm, f2.0, ISO 10000, 22 x 10s panorama from tripod