Monday, October 6, 2014

Big Dipper (Ursa Major constellation) over Old Faithful geyser Yellowstone Wyoming Astrophotography

During my nights in Yellowstone National Park I photographed one of the most familiar northern-sky constellations — the Big Dipper, the famous asterism of Ursa Major — rising above the famous Old Faithful geyser. Even without a major eruption, the drifting steam created a beautiful and dramatic foreground for the stars.

These images were captured with the Canon 60Da, a camera designed specifically for astrophotography, paired with a Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM wide-angle lens. This lens is excellent for nightscapes thanks to its bright aperture and clean optical design, which helps preserve star shapes and capture faint details in the sky.

In both images you can see a faint green glow near the horizon. This is not light pollution — it is airglow, a natural atmospheric emission that becomes especially visible in true dark-sky locations like Yellowstone.

Big Dipper and Old Faithful

Big Dipper above the low steam of Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone, captured with a wide-angle lens under a sky with visible airglow.

Big Dipper (Ursa Major constellation) over Old Faithful geyser, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Astrophotography Canon 60Da

In this first image the Big Dipper appears clearly in the middle-right part of the frame. On the left side, the geyser’s steam rises high toward the upper edge of the photo, adding movement and depth to the scene. The wide-angle composition allows both the landscape and the constellation to be captured in a single frame without distortion.

The clarity of the stars together with the drifting steam and natural airglow creates a surreal atmosphere that only a dark, quiet night in Yellowstone can offer.

Big Dipper above the Geyser Basin – Wide View

Big Dipper high above the steam of Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone, photographed from a wider distance with a visible band of sky airglow.

Night Sky and Big Dipper over sleeping Yellowstone Supervolcano

The second image was taken from a greater distance, showing the geyser basin more fully. Here the entire Big Dipper stands over the geyser steam, and the wider view reveals more of the sky’s natural airglow. The combination of drifting steam, cold night air, and a pristine dark sky creates an amazing, almost magical atmosphere in the photo.