Make: Maverick Scientist

16 HAWAI’I AND THE MAUNA LOA OBSERVATORY

While working on the ultraviolet project for Scientific American, I learned about the importance of Hawai’i’s Mauna Loa Observatory and became convinced it would be the best place on the planet to calibrate my homemade instruments. I was envious of Russell Ruthen, who edited my columns for Scientific American, when he told me Hawai’i was the destination for his upcoming honeymoon trip. I had no idea that the Scientific American controversy would soon lead to teaching a science course in Hawai’i and a multidecade relationship with the Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO). It is a story worth telling.

The American Scientific Affiliation

The American Scientific Affiliation, mentioned previously, is an association ...