Matua Island, MFN* (Strutts News Services) – It happens:
“This detailed astronaut photograph is exciting to volcanologists because it captures several phenomena that occur during the earliest stages of an explosive volcanic eruption. The main column is one of a series of plumes that rose above Matua Island on June 12. The plume appears to be a combination of brown ash and white steam. The vigorously rising plume gives the steam a bubble-like appearance. The eruption cleared a circle in the cloud deck. The clearing may result from the shockwave from the eruption or from sinking air around the eruption plume: as the plume rises, air flows down around the sides like water flowing off the back of a surfacing dolphin. As air sinks, it tends to warm and expand; clouds in the air evaporate.”
The phrase, “detailed astronaut photograph,” disturbs some folks, as there is no astronaut, detailed or otherwise, in the image. Assuming there was such an entity, and that the image was indeed captured via a detailed astronaut, there are many unanswered questions that need to be answered or otherwise ignored. For example:
Which way was this “detailed astronaut” being pointed when the picture was taken? What size mm lens, what film speed (400 ASA or greater?) and what was his/her f-stop setting? Where was this detailed astronaut’s aperature located? Who aimed the astronaut? How on earth did he/she control the shutter speed?
Regardless, it’s a cool photo.
[Found here. Tip o’ the tarboosh to cbullitt. Related post here.]
*Middle of Freakin’ Nowhere.
[UPDATE: THERE’S VIDEO!]
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