STS-61A earth observations

61A-50-057 (1 Nov 1985) --- An oblique view of Hawaii, the largest of the Hawaiian Island Group, as photographed by the crewmembers of Challenger on STS-61A in November of 1985. This unusual early morning view shows nearly the entire island with minimal cloud cover. Normally, these near tropical islands are obscured by heavy cloud cover except for the early morning hours.

UPDATE, NOVEMBER 28, 1986

PLEASE NOTE: The Kilauea fissure, on the southeast coast, while not as prominent as ancient, neighboring Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea craters, has been spewing a molten lava flow since July 18, 1986, at a rate of six cubic yards per second. Generally flowing toward the sea, the lava mass had reached the coast by today after destroying several homes and private property along the way. The seven-mile long lava flow covered over 600 feet of coastline and extended into the ocean, creating over 12 acres of new beachfront property.