Posted on 09/29/2008 5:05:09 PM PDT by LibWhacker
Explanation: Is there any place in the world you could see a real sight like this? Yes. Pictured above is single exposure image spectacular near, far, and in between. Diving into the Earth far in the distance is part of the central band of our Milky Way Galaxy, taken with a long duration exposure. Much closer, the planet Jupiter is visible as the bright point just to band's left. Closer still are picturesque buttes and mesas of the Canyonlands National Park in Utah, USA, lit by a crescent moon. In the foreground is a cave housing a stone circle of unknown origin named False Kiva. The cave was briefly lit by flashlight during the long exposure. Astrophotographer Wally Pacholka reports that getting to the cave to take this image was no easy trek. Also, mountain lions were a concern while waiting alone in the dark for just the right exposure.
Cool pic. Almost looks photoshopped.
Amazing!
Think about the catastrophes that permeate our news and to see this photo and realize how very, very small we and our problems are, in the scheme of things.
That’s exactly why I get outside on every clear night and spend a few minutes looking at the stars.
Me too! Our poor weather for three days has precluded any view of the night sky .... I feel like I’ve been robbed. ;)
Hey! Looks like home!
Thanks.
Great shot.
Only the words of Shakespeare might do justice to this photo. Saw, by accident, a spectacular meteor shower in west Texas 11 years ago. You’ve not lived until you’ve seen such a thing. Went to New Mexico in Aug of this year to see another big shower. AMAZINGLY disappointing. The stars were just about as good as what I have here in western VA. Went to Shenandoah National Park two weeks ago, and the stars were about five times as clear and bright as New Mexico. How could this be?
Don’t know... Elevation maybe? Maybe you were there on an exceptionally still and clear night?
Aww, man... I haven’t gotten a good look at the stars since I left the Midwest about 40 years ago.
I was at the Tamaya resort. Covered the whole state, so I don’t remember where exactly that was. So disappointing to travel from VA to NM just to see stars and then to miss out. Oh well.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.