Milky Way Arches Over Mount Lassen Wilderness
Monday, May 25th, 2026 at 9:12:50 AM · 2026/Mt Lassen Volcanic National Park
This long-exposure astrophotography image captures the Milky Way galaxy stretching diagonally across an exceptionally dark night sky above Mount Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California. The galactic core and its characteristic dusty lane are visible as a luminous, diffuse band of light populated by thousands of individual stars, ranging from faint pinpoints to brighter blue-white specimens. Dark tree silhouettes frame the upper right corner, providing a natural terrestrial anchor to the cosmic scene. The photograph was taken with a Canon EOS R6 Mark II and a fast f/2.8 zoom lens, allowing for sufficient light collection to reveal the galaxy's structure. The overall atmosphere is one of profound solitude and cosmic wonder, emphasizing the raw darkness achievable in a protected national park environment.
Chronologically Adjacent
