21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Lava in Halemaumau Crater lights up the night sky with the Milky Way

Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii's Big Island has been in and out of eruption for a number of years. On this particular clear night we were able to view the glow and smoke from the lava stretching across the Milky Way and the Southern Cross. You can see the kite-shaped Southern Cross about 1/3 over from the right, to the uppoer left of the brightest part of the lava glow.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 02.2021
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Volcano, Hawaii, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T6i
Copyright: © Rich Isaacman