Images Dated 11th September 2000

CSO & other telescope domes

Caltech Submillimeter Observatory. The side of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO). The domes in the background are the (from left to right): Canada-France- Hawaii Telescope, Gemini Northern Telescope, University of Hawaii 2.2-metre Telescope, United Kingdom Infrared Telescope and University of Hawaii 0. 6-metre Telescope. The 10- metre CSO telescope carries out submillimetre astronomy, mainly to study the properties of gas and dust in regions of star formation. Radiation at submillimetre wavelength is absorbed by water in the Earth's atmosphere and so such telescopes must be at high altitudes. CSO is on the dormant 4200-metre-high volcano Mauna Kea in Hawaii, USA

© G. BRAD LEWIS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Silversword plant

Silversword plant. The elongated leaves of the silversword plant (Argyroxiphium sp.) are covered in fine grey hairs, which give the plant its silver appearance. This plant is native to the Hawaiian islands and is threatened by the arrival of alien plants and animals. Its numbers have been decimated by the arrival of herbivores such as sheep and goats, and it now only remains in inaccessible rocky areas. As well as this, the insects which pollinate its flowers are having to compete with several species of insect invaders, which also contributes to the risk of extinction. Photographed in Hawaii, USA

© G. BRAD LEWIS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY