Jane Gnass

2:24 AM, 2019-03-15: Nightsky view of the Alaska Range, a moonless night, minus -5º F windchill. Andromeda Galaxy (M31) at right. Artist: JANE_E_GNASS ; Exposure Date: 2015:03:15 02:23:44; ImageDescription: "DENALI AURORA, ANDROMEDA GALAXY" orig: “Denali Aurora Bands II” North orientation 2:23 a.m.: Alaska Range peaks l-r Mt Foraker, Mt Hunter, Mt McKinley; (lower L sky) Pleiades star cluster (M45), (top L of Ctr) Alpha Persei Star Cluster (Mirfak, α Persei); (R from Mirfak) top corner unequal (scalene) triangle /shorter line = The Double Cluster NGC 869 & NGC 884 open clusters; lower corner unequal triangle /longer line = Andromeda’s star Almach, Gamma Andromedae (γ* And) a quadruple star system; w/ Almach as L corner of a R angle triangle, follow adjacent (2nd longer) line to Mirach (β* And) then follow opposite (shorter) line through Mu And (u) leading to M31, Andromeda Galaxy (apparent magnitude = 3.44), the hypotenuse (longest side of this R triangle) leads back to Almach; L below Almach = Beta Trianguli (β* Tri), brightest star in constellation Triangulum, then below & L in short opposite line to 3 stars top-bottom: Delta Tri (ð), Gamma Tri (γ), 7 Tri, completing the triangle with adjacent (2nd longest) line to Mothallah (Alpha Tri, α), hypotenuse (longest side of this R triangle) leads back to Beta Tri; M33 (apparent magnitude = 5.72, competing w/ aurora, s/b above 2nd tall tree R of Denali Pk) Triangulum Galaxy lies between Alpha Tri (Mothallah) & Mirach (Beta And) — closer to Alpha Tri, in line that runs through Beta And, Mu And & M31; winter nightsky 6 hrs before moonrise -- 28% waning crescent moon; view from McKinley View B&B; Trapper Creek, Alaska — *Greek alphabet: α = alpha, β = beta, γ = gamma, ð = delta, ε = epsilon, η = eta, u = mu, ξ = xi; Research: wikipedia.org, fourmilab.ch, eso.net, bencrowder.net, constellationsofwords.com, earthsky.org, stars.astro.illinois.edu — ISO_3200, no noise reduction applied; Copyright: ©_2015 ; Make: NIKON CORPORATION; Model: NIKON D700; ExposureTime: 10/1 s; FNumber: f/2; ISOSpeedRatings: 3200; ExposureProgram: Manual; ExposureBiasValue: 0/1; MeteringMode: Pattern; Flash: Flash did not fire; FocalLength: 35 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 35 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6.1;

1:10 AM, 2015-03-15: Pleiades is visible, as Orion sets below the horizon. Artist: JANE_E_GNASS ; Exposure Date: 2015:03:15 01:10:35; ImageDescription: "Field Of Stars: Cabin Beneath Star-Studded Aurora” western sky orientation, 24mm lens: Orion setting (low L sky) — Betelgeuse (L) Bellatrix ® (Orion’s shoulders) + 3 stars Orion's belt [R-L: Mintaka, Alnilam — Arabic “string of pearls,” & Alnitak]; brilliant / L above Betelgeuse = Gemini's Alhena aka Almeisan (Gamma* Geminorum, L foot E Twin Pollux), 9pm fr Alhena = Alzirr (ξ* Gem, R foot E Twin Pollux), 1am yellow= Mebsuta (ε* Gem), 2am red giant: Tejat Posterior (Mu* Gem., W Twin Castor's back foot), 230am red triple star system: Propus (Eta* Gem., W Twin Castor's forward foot), 230am R of Propus = M35 open star cluster in Gemini; Pleiades star cluster (low Ctr sky); low above Ctr treetop = Hyades Star Cluster (Taurus' face); (top Ctr) Capella (Alpha Aurigae, 3rd brightest northern celestial hemisphere); (top R sky) Perseus & Alpha Persei Star Cluster (Mirfak) + (equal distance R from Mirfak) top of triangle — The Double Cluster NGC 869 & NGC 884 open clusters; lower triangle — Andromeda’s star Almach (Gamma Andromedae, γ And.) a quadruple star system; Milky Way glow results from vast sea of cosmic-ray particles slamming into interstellar gas & dust, generating gamma rays; red & green auroral glow, winter nightsky 7.5 hrs before moonrise -- 28% waning crescent; view from McKinley View B&B; Trapper Creek, Alaska — *Greek alphabet: γ = gamma, ε = Epsilon, η = Eta, u = Mu, ξ = xi; Research: wikipedia.org, fourmilab.ch, nasa.gov, bencrowder.net, constellationsofwords.com; ISO_6400, no noise reduction applied; Copyright: ©_2015 ; Make: NIKON CORPORATION; Model: NIKON D700; ExposureTime: 20/1 s; FNumber: f/2; ISOSpeedRatings: 6400; ExposureProgram: Manual; ExposureBiasValue: 0/1; MeteringMode: Pattern; Flash: Flash did not fire; FocalLength: 24 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 24 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6.1;

Morning in the neighborhood. Artist: JANE_E_GNASS ; Exposure Date: 2015:09:11 05:51:09; ImageDescription: © 2015 Jane E Gnass“NEIGHBOR’S AURORA V” Shimmering auroral corona / northern lights, pink clouds are light reflected from city, but not the LED street lights, morning twilight, west sky orientation, autumn birch (top) & white spruce (lower) trees, Chandalar Drive, Anchorage, AK — forecast Kp5 , but we had a G2 “Moderate” geomagnetic storm in progress @ 1:24am this morning with a Kp6+; Copyright: ©_2015 ; Make: NIKON CORPORATION; Model: NIKON D700; ExposureTime: 3/1 s; FNumber: f/2; ISOSpeedRatings: 640; ExposureProgram: Manual; ExposureBiasValue: 4294967294/3; MeteringMode: Pattern; Flash: Flash did not fire; FocalLength: 14 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 14 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6;

Keawakapu Reef. Exposure Date: 2011:02:27 11:16:03; ImageDescription: Marine Invertebrate CU: (red orange itty bitty) Coral Guard Crab inside its host, a green Cauliflower Coral; Keawakapu Beach reef, Kihei, Mau; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS2; ExposureTime: 1/100 s; FNumber: f/3; ISOSpeedRatings: 80; ExposureProgram: Normal program; ExposureBiasValue: 4294967163/100; MeteringMode: Pattern; Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode; FocalLength: 4 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 28 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6; ExifGpsLatitude: 20/1 42/1 1620/100; ExifGpsLatitudeRef: N; ExifGpsLongitude: 156/1 26/1 5040/100; ExifGpsLongitudeRef: W;

Molokini Natural Reserve Exposure Date: 2012:03:14 08:37:26; ImageDescription: Marine invertebrates (absence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., coral & urchin) & vertebrate (presence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., fish) CU: "Male Palenose Parrotfish (Hawai'ian: Uhu, Scientific: Scarus psittacus), Cauliflower and Lobe Corals" 2012 Pacific Whale Foundation snorkel trip to Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District, Molokini itself is a crescent-shaped volcanic caldera (crater), a sanctuary and an islet in Alalakeiki Channel between Maui & Kahoolawe Islands, Molokini is part of the County of Maui, off the coast of Makena, South Maui coast, Hawaiian Islands; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS2; ExposureTime: 1/200 s; FNumber: f/3; ISOSpeedRatings: 80; ExposureProgram: Normal program; ExposureBiasValue: 4294967163/100; MeteringMode: Pattern; Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode; FocalLength: 5 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 29 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6;

Sunning on aloe vera plant. Exposure Date: 2012:03:12 10:08:18; ImageDescription: Reptile CU: "Gecko (Hawai’ian: mo’o, for lizard) Sunning On Century Plant 1” Maui Banyan Resort, Kihei, Maui; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS2; ExposureTime: 1/160 s; FNumber: f/5; ISOSpeedRatings: 80; ExposureProgram: Normal program; ExposureBiasValue: 4294967263/100; MeteringMode: Pattern; Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode; FocalLength: 17 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 98 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6;

Taken at Lahaina Banyan Court. Exposure Date: 2011:03:01 08:45:48; ImageDescription: CU I: "Pink Ginger (Hawai'ian: 'awapuhi 'ula'ula, scientific: Alpina purpurata zingiberaceae) Blossom & Ti Leaf (Hawai'ian: kï, scientific: Cordyline fruticosa)" tropical plants; ti, the Hawiian good-luck plant, is considered sacred to the Hawai`i god Lono and to the goddess of the hula; Kihei Surfside Resort, Kihei, Maui, County of Maui, Hawaiian Islands; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS2; ExposureTime: 1/50 s; FNumber: f/3; ISOSpeedRatings: 80; ExposureProgram: Normal program; ExposureBiasValue: 4294967295/1; MeteringMode: Pattern; Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode; FocalLength: 4 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 28 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6;

Keawakapu Reef. Exposure Date: 2015:03:22 10:55:46; ImageDescription: Aqua-blue Pacific Ocean waters, marine vertebrate & reptile: "Algae-Covered Green Sea Turtle Getting Air at Water Surface, Near The Grotto" Hawai'ian name: Honu, scientific name: Chelonia mydas, Keawakapu Beach coral reef, Kihei, Island of / County of Maui, Hawaiian Islands; Copyright 2015 Jane E Gnass; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS2; ExposureTime: 1/160 s; FNumber: f/10; ISOSpeedRatings: 200; ExposureProgram: Normal program; ExposureBiasValue: 4294967263/50; MeteringMode: Pattern; Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode; FocalLength: 4 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 28 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6;

Keawakapu Reef. Exposure Date: 2011:03:07 10:25:37; ImageDescription: Underwater reef community, marine invertebrates (absence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., coral & sea slugs): (crimson or red-orange) “REDMARGIN SPANISH DANCER IN DAYLIGHT” (poisonous to touch) Hawaii’s largest nudibranch (sea slug), usually nocturnal; this one is trying to look invisible against (green) Lobe Coral, while I was snorkeling at Keawakapu Beach reef, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS2; ExposureTime: 1/320 s; FNumber: f/3; ISOSpeedRatings: 200; ExposureProgram: Normal program; ExposureBiasValue: 4294967295/1; MeteringMode: Pattern; Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode; FocalLength: 5 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 31 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6;

Keawakapu Reef. Exposure Date: 2014:11:05 08:46:59; ImageDescription: Marine invertebrates (absence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., coral & urchin) & vertebrate (presence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., a fish): PREDATORY ARC-EYE HAWKFISH USES CRYPSIS TO HIDE -- using camouflage to hide (crypsis) & blend into a green cauliflower coral, red slate pencil urchin, (green) lobe coral, — northern-most reef @ Keawakapu Beach just out from Mana Kai Maui Resort, S Kihei, Maui, Hawaii; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS2; ExposureTime: 1/400 s; FNumber: f/3; ISOSpeedRatings: 200; ExposureProgram: Normal program; ExposureBiasValue: 4294967263/50; MeteringMode: Pattern; Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode; FocalLength: 4 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 29 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6;

A large coral about 2-feet across. This was taken near Thor's Hammer, a 5-10 minute swim out along the reef. This particular coral was taken out by a storm, and the next year I only found remnants on the ocean floor. It was a beauty. Exposure Date: 2012:03:10 09:39:49; ImageDescription: Aqua blue Pacific Ocean, marine invertebrates (absence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., coral & urchin) & vertebrate (presence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., a fish): “Blue-Eye Damselfish Living in (purple) Cauliflower Coral" also Red Slate Pencil Urchins, Keawakapu Beach reef, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS2; ExposureTime: 1/100 s; FNumber: f/3; ISOSpeedRatings: 80; ExposureProgram: Normal program; ExposureBiasValue: 4294967295/1; MeteringMode: Pattern; Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode; FocalLength: 4 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 28 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6;

The groove patterns in the lobe coral are caused by the burrowing Petroglyph Shrimp, which are not visible. Exposure Date: 2014:11:07 08:55:35; ImageDescription: Marine invertebrates (absence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., coral & urchin) & vertebrate (presence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., fish) CU: HAWAIIAN WHITESPOTTED TOBY aka SHARPNOSE PUFFERFISH (Canthigaster jactator) hovering above (green) lobe coral & next to (brown) cauliflower coral, reef at Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District, Molokini itself is a crescent-shaped volcanic caldera (crater), a sanctuary and an islet in Alalakeiki Channel between Maui & Kahoolawe Islands, Molokini is part of the County of Maui, off the coast of Makena, South Maui coast, Hawaiian Islands; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS5; ExposureTime: 1/320 s; FNumber: f/3; ISOSpeedRatings: 200; ExposureProgram: Normal program; ExposureBiasValue: 4294967263/50; MeteringMode: Pattern; Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode; FocalLength: 4 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 28 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6;

The best way to see one of these shy creatures is to hang out in an area and stay about five minutes. Pretty soon, shy fish will get used to your presence and come out of hiding. "Hey, that rock just moved," could be an octopus. Exposure Date: 2011:03:07 10:20:26; ImageDescription: Copyright 2011 Jane Gnass; Underwater reef community, marine invertebrates (absence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., coral & octopus); purple & brown octopus “Intelligent Invertebrate: Day Octopus (Hawai'ian: He'e) Using Crypsis (Camouflage) to Hide” Here, nestled into a natural bowl of old coral, snorkeling from above the octupus looked like a hole in the coral. Camouflage is a method of crypsis (hiding). Snorkeling at Keawakapu Beach reef, Pacific Ocean, Kihei, Island of / County of Maui, Hawaiian Islands; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS2; ExposureTime: 1/400 s; FNumber: f/3; ISOSpeedRatings: 400; ExposureProgram: Normal program; ExposureBiasValue: 4294967263/50; MeteringMode: Pattern; Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode; FocalLength: 5 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 29 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6;

Keawakapu Reef: In Hawaii, the Wrasses make up the largest family of fishes, with nearly 50 species. Exposure Date: 2011:03:03 09:56:06; ImageDescription: Marine invertebrates (absence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., coral & urchin) & vertebrate (presence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., a fish): (endemic) Saddle Wrasse and lobe coral. Snorkeling at Keawakapu Beach reef, Pacific Ocean, Kihei, Island of / County of Maui, Hawaiian Islands; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS2; ExposureTime: 1/320 s; FNumber: f/3; ISOSpeedRatings: 80; ExposureProgram: Normal program; ExposureBiasValue: 4294967163/100; MeteringMode: Pattern; Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode; FocalLength: 4 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 28 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6;

These urchin are a photographer's delight, with the red that won't stop. Here with pink algae on the lobe coral, how could I resist this image? Exposure Date: 2011:03:06 10:46:45; ImageDescription: Copyright 2011 Jane GnassMarine invertebrates (absence of backbone or spinal column) CU: “Red Slate Pencil Urchin & Lobe Coral (green) with Pink Algae" Snorkeling at Keawakapu Beach reef, Pacific Ocean, Kihei, Island of / County of Maui, Hawaiian Islands; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS2; ExposureTime: 1/320 s; FNumber: f/3; ISOSpeedRatings: 80; ExposureProgram: Normal program; ExposureBiasValue: 4294967213/50; MeteringMode: Pattern; Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode; FocalLength: 4 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 28 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6;

The water was quite clear that morning as the turtle cruised past me. Turtles frequent this reef en-route to a favorite algae area north near Kam 1. They often rest here on the ocean floor, at mid-reef. Taken while snorkeling in the turtle "freeway." Snorkeling at Keawakapu Beach reef, Pacific Ocean, Kihei, Island of / County of Maui, Hawaiian Islands

It took about 20 attempts, doing somersaults between surges tossing me towards the rocks, before I finally captured a good photo of this shy, territorial fish. With encouragement from John Hoover, I looked AGAIN through his books for a +ID. Exposure Date: 2014:11:06 12:02:05; ImageDescription: Marine invertebrates (absence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., coral & urchin) & vertebrate (presence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., a fish): here is a 4-5” long REDBARRED HAWKFISH,* a very shy hard-to-photograph pectoral swimmer that hides under a rock, feathered nodules 1st dorsal fin: 3-4 ft surge zone, northern-most reef @ Keawakapu Beach just out from Mana Kai Maui Resort. Snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean at Kihei, Island of / County of Maui, Hawaiian Islands — *P. 166, John P. Hoover’s “The Ultimate Guide Hawaiian Reef Fishes” Fifth printing, June 2013; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS2; ExposureTime: 1/40 s; FNumber: f/3; ISOSpeedRatings: 400; FocalLength: 4 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 29 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6;

Where the boat anchored at Turtle Arches, it was obvious that people had been feeding these fish, who were looking for handouts. The yellow is a stand-out in the turquoise blue water. Exposure Date: 2011:03:10 10:05:55; ImageDescription: Copyright 2011 Jane Gnass, "Milletseed Butterflyfish, Endemic Hawaiian Fish" blue waters at Turtle Arches or Turtle Town, Alalakeiki Channel, Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Makena, South Maui, County of Maui, Hawaiian Islands; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS2; ExposureTime: 1/500 s; FNumber: f/3; ISOSpeedRatings: 400; FocalLength: 4 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 28 mm; Software: QuickTime 7.6.6;

Blue and quiet, listening to the song of the whales. Exposure Date: 2014:11:07 10:04:43; ImageDescription: Galen snoreling the blue waters at Turtle Arches, Alalakeiki Channel, Pacific Ocean, Makena, South Maui, County of Maui, Hawaiian Islands — Another Mom Production. Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS5; ExposureTime: 1/640 s; FNumber: f/3; ISOSpeedRatings: 400; FocalLength: 4 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 28 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6;

Molokini Natural Reserve. Exposure Date: 2014:11:07 09:02:47; ImageDescription: Marine invertebrates (absence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., coral & urchin) & vertebrate (presence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., fish) CU: PINKTAIL TRIGGERFISH (Hawai'ian: Humu-humu hiʻu lole), coral reef at Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District, Molokini itself is a crescent-shaped volcanic caldera (crater), a sanctuary and an islet in Alalakeiki Channel between Maui & Kahoolawe Islands, Molokini is part of the County of Maui, off the coast of Makena, South Maui coast, Hawaiian Islands; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS5; ExposureTime: 1/125 s; FNumber: f/3; ISOSpeedRatings: 200; FocalLength: 4 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 28 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6;

Fish can look considerably different between growth stages, sometimes tricky for identification. Fortunately, our MANY underwater fish books have that base covered. Another favorite filefish is the striking Scrawled Filefish, Aluterus scriptus. Exposure Date: 2014:11:07 08:58:28; ImageDescription: Marine invertebrates (absence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., coral & urchin) & vertebrate (presence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., fish) CU: JUVENILE BANDED FILEFISH (looks like, but isn’t, American Whitespotted Filefish) THREADFIN BUTTERFLYFISH (big yellow / white), cauliflower & (green) lobe corals, reef at Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District, Molokini itself is a crescent-shaped volcanic caldera (crater), a sanctuary and an islet in Alalakeiki Channel between Maui & Kahoolawe Islands, Molokini is part of the County of Maui, off the coast of Makena, South Maui coast, Hawaiian Islands; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS5; ExposureTime: 1/500 s; FNumber: f/3; ISOSpeedRatings: 200; FocalLength: 4 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 28 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6;

Chaetodon auriga: Look closely for the thread-shaped fin trailing off the soft-dorsal fin. Butterflyfish mate for life, and are often seen feeding in pairs. Exposure Date: 2014:11:07 08:57:53; ImageDescription: Marine invertebrates (absence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., coral & urchin) & vertebrate (presence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., fish) CU: THREADFIN BUTTERFLYFISH, Blackfin Chromis, a Small Damselfish with Blue-Black Anal Fin, cauliflower & (green) lobe corals, red slate pencil urchin, coral reef at Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District, Molokini itself is a crescent-shaped volcanic caldera (crater), a sanctuary and an islet in Alalakeiki Channel between Maui & Kahoolawe Islands, Molokini is part of the County of Maui, off the coast of Makena, South Maui coast, Hawaiian Islands; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS5; ExposureTime: 1/500 s; FNumber: f/3; ISOSpeedRatings: 200; FocalLength: 4 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 28 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.6;

This fish has toxic skin secretions keeps it safe from predators. Exposure Date: 2014:11:07 08:55:22; ImageDescription: Marine invertebrates (absence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., coral & urchin) & vertebrate (presence of backbone or spinal column, e.g., a fish): WHITE SPOTTED PUFFERFISH (Hawai'ian: o'opu hue) (scientific: Arothron meleagris) has toxic skin secretions -- tetrodotoxin, cauliflower coral behind, (green) lobe coral nearby, (distant background center) black triggerfish, (background R) an endemic Saddle Wrasse, Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District, Molokini itself is a crescent-shaped volcanic caldera (crater), a sanctuary and an islet in Alalakeiki Channel between Maui & Kahoolawe Islands, Molokini is part of the County of Maui, off the coast of Makena, South Maui coast, Hawaiian Islands; Make: Panasonic; Model: DMC-TS5; ExposureTime: 1/320 s; FNumber: f/3; ISOSpeedRatings: 200; FocalLength: 4 mm; FocalLengthIn35mmFilm: 28 mm; Software: iPhoto 9.5.1;