Milky Way and Meteor Trail Over Lassen Volcanic Night Sky

Milky Way and Meteor Trail Over Lassen Volcanic Night Sky

Monday, May 25th, 2026 at 8:49:50 AM · 2026/Mt Lassen Volcanic National Park

This wide-field astrophotography image captures the night sky above Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park, showcasing the luminous band of the Milky Way galaxy arching across the center of the frame. A distinct linear streak — likely a meteor or satellite pass — cuts diagonally through the upper-center portion of the image, adding a dynamic element to the otherwise timeless starfield. Thousands of individual stars are visible against the deep black of space, with the diffuse, cloud-like glow of the galactic core providing texture and depth. The image was shot with a Canon EOS R6 Mark II and the RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM lens, which has captured excellent detail across the star field. The overall mood is one of awe-inspiring vastness and solitude, evoking the remote and pristine dark skies found in this Northern California national park.

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