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Is The VolcanoCam Broken? Part I
The new VolcanoCam offers a much better color quality
than the old VolcanoCam. However, in low light and no light conditions,
the
camera is often unable to compensate for such conditions and produces
random colors, similar to a television tuned to a non-existent channel.
There is nothing wrong with the VolcanoCam or the image. This image
was taken at 4:09 am PDT, on September 28, 2004. Sunrise did not occur
until 6:04 am PDT.
You may click on the image to view it full-size. |
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Is The VolcanoCam Broken? Part II
Mount St. Helens is located in the Pacific Northwest where
it has either just stopped raining, is currently raining, or is getting
ready to rain. The camera site is at an elevation of approximately 4,500
feet. It is located approximately 5 miles north-northwest from the volcano,
and looks across the North Fork Toutle River Valley. This is an area
which receives more than 100 inches of rain a year. Most likely, you
are looking at rain, clouds, fog, and/or a combination of the
three.
There is nothing wrong with the VolcanoCam or the image. This image
was taken at 7:49 am PDT, on September 29, 2004. You are unable to
see Mount St. Helens because of ground fog.
You may click on the image to
view it full-size.
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A Ghostly Outline
The new VolcanoCam offers a much better color quality
than the old VolcanoCam. However, in low light and no light conditions,
the camera is often unable to compensate for such conditions and produces
random colors, similar to a television tuned to a non-existent channel.
In this image, taken at 11:59 pm PDT, on September 27, 2004, the full
moon generated enough light that the outline of Mount St. Helens is
visible against the lighter sky.
You may click on the image to
view it full-size.
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A Volcano Float, But No Ice Cream!
Weather conditions in the Pacific Northwest can sometimes
change quite rapidly. This is one of only two views of Mount St. Helens
the VolcanoCam was able to capture on October 15, 2004. All other daytime
images are obscured by ground fog and clouds, although some clouds began
to dissipate by late afternoon.
This image was taken at 8:14 am PDT, on October 15, 2004.
You may click on the image to
view it full-size.
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Raindrops Keep Falling On The Lens
Mount St. Helens is located in the Pacific Northwest where it has
either just stopped raining, is currently raining, or is getting ready
to rain. This is an area which receives more than 100 inches of rain
a year.
There is nothing wrong with the VolcanoCam or the image. This image
was taken at 10:44 am PDT, on October 8, 2004. You are unable to see
Mount St. Helens because of clouds in the distance, and raindrops on
the external casing of the VolcanoCam. By the way, the VolcanoCam is
20 feet off of the ground under the eaves of the Johnston Ridge Observatory.
Accessing the VolcanoCam requires a scaffold and a minimum of four
people (safety considerations). We do not clean the lens every time
it rains.
You may click on the image to
view it full-size.
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Sunrise Breaking Through The Clouds
Light, weather and the VolcanoCam camera itself often combine to produce
stunning images. The above image is a prime example. The explanation
of what you are viewing is best described with before and after images
as well. The image at left was taken on April 29, 2005 at 0533 Hours,
PDT.
The camera we use is a color/black and white camera. This means the
images created are all in color, except when there is insufficient light
when the camera automatically switches itself to black and white mode.
This occurs twice a day, often without fanfare. But sometimes the mode
switch, combined with lighting and weather, creates its own electronic
art.
You may click on the image to
view it full-size. |