Double Rainbow Astrophotography Zion National Park

During my trip to Zion National Park, the weather was far from ideal for astrophotography. Clouds moved quickly across the sky, rain showers passed through the canyon, and the night sky remained hidden.

But sometimes nature offers something unexpected.

After one of the storms, sunlight broke through the clouds and illuminated the moist desert air. What followed was spectacular — a double rainbow stretching above the dramatic sandstone cliffs of Zion.

It made me pause and think: Is a rainbow astrophotography?

Technically, a rainbow is an optical atmospheric phenomenon caused by the interaction of sunlight with water droplets. The Sun — our nearest star — provides the light source. In that sense, this image captures a phenomenon directly created by astronomical light interacting with Earth's atmosphere.

So while it may not show stars, planets, or the Milky Way, it still documents a beautiful example of astronomy meeting atmospheric physics.

 

Double Rainbow Astrophotography Zion National Park

Why Does a Double Rainbow Happen?

A primary rainbow forms when sunlight enters a raindrop, bends (refracts), reflects once inside the droplet, and exits — separating into colors.

A secondary rainbow appears when light reflects twice inside the droplet before exiting. This second internal reflection causes:

• Reversed color order (red on the inside, violet on the outside)
• A fainter and wider outer arc
• A darker region between the two rainbows known as Alexander’s Band

Double rainbows are less common because they require:

• Strong, low-angle sunlight (often late afternoon)
• Large numbers of evenly distributed raindrops
• The observer positioned with the Sun behind them

In desert environments like Zion, storms can be brief but intense — creating perfect conditions when sunlight returns.

Even though this was not the astrophotography session I had planned, this moment reminded me that sky photography is not limited to night. Sometimes the most powerful celestial light comes from the Sun itself.

Related Astrophotography & Sky Phenomena Posts

These posts explore how celestial light interacts with Earth’s atmosphere and environment — from atmospheric optics to interplanetary dust and extreme dark-sky effects.

• Lightning Photography — Brooklyn NYC Storm
  Capturing atmospheric electricity during a summer storm over New York City.
• SpaceX Launch Over Saint Martin Island (Feb 27, 2023)
  A dramatic twilight plume illuminated by high-altitude sunlight.
• Comet SOHO-5008 During the Total Solar Eclipse (April 8, 2024)
  A rare daytime comet visible only during totality.
• Why the Equatorial Dark Sky Airglow More Red — Tanzania & Galápagos
  Exploring red airglow under equatorial Bortle Class 1 skies.
• Zodiacal Light — Bolivia Astrophotography
  Sunlight scattered by interplanetary dust before dawn.
• Milky Way Casting Shadows — Atacama Desert
  Extreme dark-sky conditions where starlight creates visible ground shadows.

Orion Constellation Astrophotography Around the World

One of the most recognizable constellations in the night sky is Orion, often called “The Hunter.” Its distinctive shape is easy to identify thanks to the three bright stars that form Orion’s Belt — Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka.

Orion is especially popular among astrophotographers because it contains some of the most beautiful deep-sky objects visible even with modest equipment. The most famous of these is the Orion Nebula (M42), one of the brightest stellar nurseries in the sky.

Below is a small collection of my Orion constellation astrophotography taken from different locations around the world — including the Negev Desert in Israel, Puerto Rico, Iceland, and New York City. These images show how Orion appears under very different observing conditions, from dark desert skies and tropical horizons to aurora displays and heavily light-polluted urban environments.

From dark skies Orion reveals rich star fields and faint nebulae, while even from urban locations it remains one of the easiest and most rewarding constellations for astrophotography.

Orion Constellation over the Negev Desert, Israel – Astrophotography

Wide-field astrophotography of Orion taken from the Negev Desert, Israel clearly shows the different colors of its brightest stars. While most of the stars appear blue-white, Betelgeuse stands out with its yellow-orange to reddish color. This happens because Betelgeuse is a massive red supergiant, much cooler than the hot blue stars in Orion such as Rigel and the stars of Orion’s Belt.

Orion Constellation Astrophotography Culebra Island Puerto Rico

This wide-field Orion image taken from Culebra Island, Puerto Rico under Bortle class 3–4 skies reveals many nebulae that form part of the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex. Visible in the photograph are Barnard’s Loop, the bright Orion Nebula (M42), the Horsehead Nebula in front of IC 434, the faint Witch Head Nebula (IC 2118), and more distant objects such as the Rosette Nebula and the large emission region known as the Seagull Nebula (IC 2177).

Orion Constellation with Northern Lights – Iceland Astrophotography

In this photograph taken in Iceland, the Orion constellation appears together with the Northern Lights. A soft glow from the Moon is visible in the upper left corner of the image, while an aurora band moves diagonally across the sky from the lower right toward the upper left, partially crossing the constellation. Despite these bright sky conditions, Orion remains easy to identify thanks to its bright stars and the distinctive line of Orion’s Belt.

Orion Nebula (M42) photographed from urban New York City

The Orion Nebula (M42) photographed from heavily light-polluted New York City. By stacking many tracked exposures it is still possible to reveal nebula structure even under bright urban skies.

Orion Constellation Astrophotography

This photograph shows the Orion constellation above tropical palm trees at Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort, Puerto Rico. The bright star Sirius in the nearby constellation Canis Major is also visible. Because Orion lies close to the celestial equator, it rises high in the sky when observed from tropical locations, making it an excellent target for wide-field astrophotography.

Orion Constellation over Kfar Szold Kibbutz, Israel – Astrophotography

This photograph shows the Orion constellation above the trees of Kfar Szold Kibbutz, Israel. The familiar line of Orion’s Belt makes the constellation easy to recognize even in a wide-field landscape scene. The image also captures the bright star Sirius from the nearby constellation Canis Major, one of the brightest stars in the night sky.

Orion Constellation over Lighthouse, Puerto Rico – Night Sky Astrophotography

The Orion constellation rising above a lighthouse in Puerto Rico. The three stars of Orion’s Belt form a clear line in the sky, making the constellation easy to recognize even in wide-field night landscapes.

Because Orion lies on the celestial equator, it can be observed from almost anywhere on Earth. This makes it one of the few constellations that astrophotographers can capture from many different continents and climates. From tropical Caribbean skies to northern aurora landscapes and even light-polluted cities, Orion remains one of the most recognizable constellations of the Northern Hemisphere winter sky.

Bright Stars and Deep-Sky Objects in Orion

• Betelgeuse – red supergiant marking Orion’s shoulder
• Rigel – bright blue supergiant marking Orion’s foot
• Alnitak, Alnilam, Mintaka – the three stars of Orion’s Belt
• M42 Orion Nebula – bright emission nebula and stellar nursery

Related Orion Astrophotography

• Orion Nebula (M42) Astrophotography from New York City
• Orion Constellation over Lighthouse – Puerto Rico Astrophotography
• Puerto Rico Astrophotography – Orion Constellation
• Orion Constellation Astrophotography – Israel Night Sky
• Orion Constellation with Northern Lights – Iceland Astrophotography

Other Constellation Astrophotography

If you enjoy constellation photography, you may also find these posts interesting. They show other constellations and annotated night-sky images captured from different locations around the world.

• Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Astrophotography Around the World
• Corona Constellation during the Coronavirus Pandemic
• Crux (Southern Cross) – Milky Way Astrophotography from the Galápagos
• Annotated Southern Sky Astrophotography – Crux, Centaurus, Carina and the Magellanic Clouds
• Urban Constellation Astrophotography – Lyra and Cassiopeia from New York City
• Annotated Summer Milky Way – Constellations and Nebulae

Green Sky Utah Airglow Astrophotography Canon 60Da

The sky is green, the night is dark - as simple as possible. This photo was done at Bryce Canyon, Utah. Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec; f/3.5; ISO 6400

Green Sky Utah Airglow Astrophotography Canon 60Da

The natural moonless night sky is dark but not black; it is not even blue (no scattering light from sun and moon). Earth atmosphere  emits green, red, orange, yellow light- Airglow!

About 60% of the natural brightness of the night sky at zenith is made up of Airglow. Maximum brightest usually appears at about 10-15 degrees above the horizon, because of the greater the depth of atmosphere at this angle. Airglow is not always uniform. Gravity waves may create considerable variation of Airglow brightness.

You can see Airglow only in real dark sky, but naked eye could not recognize colors. Photos with long exposure able get the colors of Airglow.

The usually dominant color of airglow is green originated from molecular oxygen at 90 to 100 km high. Orange and reddish hue caused by atomic oxygen in 150-300 km above the ground, Yellow light comes from sodium atoms in a layer at about 90 km.

Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Astrophotography Around the World

The Big Dipper, part of the constellation Ursa Major, is one of the most recognizable star patterns in the night sky. For many people it is the first constellation they learn to identify. The seven bright stars form a distinctive shape resembling a ladle or wagon, and the two stars at the end of the “bowl” point directly toward the North Star (Polaris).

This post shows a small collection of my Big Dipper astrophotography taken from different locations around the world. Even though it is the same constellation, its orientation and position in the sky change depending on latitude. In northern locations the Big Dipper is often circumpolar, meaning it never sets below the horizon. Closer to the equator, however, the constellation appears lower in the sky and sometimes even touches the horizon.

These photographs were taken during various astrophotography trips — from the dark skies of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks to tropical skies in Puerto Rico, desert skies in Utah, and my local observing sites in New York.

The Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Yellowstone Astrophotography

The Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Grand Teton Astrophotography

Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Yellowstone Astrophotography

The Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Puerto Rico Astrophotography

The Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Bryce Canyon Astrophotography

In this image both the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper can be identified. The two outer stars of the Big Dipper’s bowl — Dubhe and Merak — are known as Pointer Stars because they point directly toward Polaris, the North Star, located at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor). For centuries travelers and astronomers have used this simple relationship to locate true north in the night sky.

Under dark skies like those at Bryce Canyon National Park, the entire Little Dipper becomes visible, while in light-polluted cities often only Polaris can be seen.

Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Puerto Rico Astrophotography

The Big Dipper (Ursa Major) New York Astrophotography

The Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Catskills NY Astrophotography

How the Big Dipper Changes Across the Earth

One fascinating aspect of wide-field astrophotography is seeing how the same constellation appears different depending on where it is photographed.

• High northern latitudes – The Big Dipper circles around Polaris and never sets.
• Mid-latitudes (USA, Europe) – The constellation rotates during the night and through the seasons.
• Near the equator – The Big Dipper sits much lower above the horizon and may even disappear seasonally.

In places like Puerto Rico, it becomes possible to capture both the Big Dipper and Little Dipper low above the northern horizon — something that looks very different from the high overhead views seen in places like Yellowstone or the Catskill Mountains.

The Big Dipper in Astrophotography

Because of its bright stars and large angular size, the Big Dipper is an excellent target for wide-field astrophotography. It is frequently used as a reference point when photographing the northern sky.

The constellation also contains several famous deep-sky objects visible with telescopes and binoculars:

• Mizar and Alcor – a famous naked-eye double star.
• M81 & M82 – the Bode’s Galaxy pair.
• M101 – the Pinwheel Galaxy.
• M51 – the Whirlpool Galaxy near the handle of the Dipper.

Even in wide nightscape photography, the Big Dipper often becomes a natural anchor in the composition, helping viewers instantly orient themselves in the night sky.

The Seven Stars of the Big Dipper

The familiar pattern of the Big Dipper is formed by seven bright stars that are part of the larger constellation Ursa Major. These stars have been known and named since ancient times and are easily visible to the naked eye.

• Dubhe – one of the two famous Pointer Stars that help locate Polaris.
• Merak – the second Pointer Star pointing toward the North Star.
• Phecda – located at the bottom of the Dipper’s bowl.
• Megrez – the faintest of the seven stars, connecting the bowl and handle.
• Alioth – the brightest star in the Big Dipper.
• Mizar – a famous double star visible to the naked eye with companion Alcor.
• Alkaid – the star at the tip of the handle.

These seven stars form one of the most recognizable patterns in the northern sky and have helped observers navigate the night for thousands of years.

Conclusion

Photographing the same constellation from different locations highlights one of the beautiful aspects of astronomy: the sky is universal, yet it always looks slightly different depending on where you stand on Earth. From the geysers of Yellowstone to the tropical skies of Puerto Rico and the mountains of Utah, the Big Dipper remains a constant guide in the northern sky — one that has helped travelers, explorers, and astronomers navigate the night for centuries.

Related Constellation Astrophotography

• Orion Constellation Astrophotography – A Winter Constellation Around the World
• Big Dipper (Ursa Major) over Old Faithful – Yellowstone National Park Astrophotography
• Reflection of the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) – Grand Teton Nightscape Astrophotography
• Big Dipper and Natural Airglow – Bryce Canyon Dark Sky Astrophotography
• Big Dipper Near the Equator – Puerto Rico Astrophotography
• Big Dipper and Little Dipper – Catskills New York Astrophotography

Utah Astrophotography

The sky calls to us.
If we do not destroy ourselves,
we will one day venture to the stars.
--Carl Sagan

Utah is one of the best places in the world for landscape astrophotography. Bryce Canyon National Park offers exceptionally dark skies, dramatic rock formations, high elevation, and some of the most unforgettable Milky Way views in the United States.

All photos in this post were taken during my trip to Utah, mostly around Bryce Canyon National Park, under very dark, crystal-clear skies with strong natural airglow.

Milky Way and Airglow Over Utah Road – Left Turn Sign

This image captures a lonely Utah road under one of the darkest skies in the United States. A bright Left Turn road sign stands illuminated in the foreground, leading the viewer’s eye toward the distant mountains and the dramatic rise of the Milky Way. The Galactic Core appears extremely bright — a vertical column of stars, dust lanes, and glowing nebulae stretching up into the sky. Natural green airglow adds a surreal glow near the horizon, giving the scene an almost otherworldly atmosphere.

Utah Astrophotography - Milky Way and Airglow over Road

Photo Settings: Canon 60Da, EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400

Eruption of the Milky Way Over Utah Mountains

This photo is a zoomed-in view of the previous scene, focusing entirely on the mountains and the glowing rise of the Milky Way. Without the road and sign, the composition becomes even more dramatic — the landscape looks like a dark silhouette beneath an explosive burst of galactic light. The bright Galactic Core appears almost like a cosmic eruption, with dense star clusters and dusty nebulae rising vertically from behind the mountains. Subtle airglow adds a soft glow along the horizon, making the scene feel like it is from another planet.

Eruption of  Milky Way Utah Landscape Astrophotography

Vertical Milky Way and Airglow Over Utah Mountains

This single, vertical shot captures the Milky Way rising straight up over the Utah mountains, forming a dramatic column of light. A soft layer of green airglow adds a gentle tint near the horizon, while the mountain silhouette anchors the composition. Simple and clean, the image shows the classic beauty of a vertical Milky Way rise — one of the most iconic views in astrophotography.

Airglow and Milky Way Utah Landscape Astrophotography

Photo Settings: Canon 60Da, EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM, 23 sec, f/3.5, ISO 6400

Night Parking Under the Milky Way

This image captures a quiet night parking area in Utah, illuminated softly by a few scattered lights, with cars resting under the sky. Even with the artificial lighting, the location is so dark and pristine that the Milky Way remains fully visible above the trees, stretching brightly across the night. The gentle glow from the parking lot barely affects the sky — a rare reminder of how extraordinary Utah’s natural darkness truly is.

With the silhouettes of trees framing the scene and the Galactic Core rising above the parked cars, the photo blends everyday elements with the cosmic grandeur of the Milky Way, turning a simple parking lot into a stunning nightscape.

Night Parking Utah Landscape Astrophotography

Photo Settings: Canon 60Da, EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM, 15 sec, f/3.5, ISO 6400

Big Dipper, Small Dipper and Natural Airglow

This photo focuses on two of the most iconic northern constellations — the Big Dipper prominently centered in the frame, and the Small Dipper (Ursa Minor) appearing in the upper-right corner. Together, they form one of the best natural guides for finding true north in the night sky.

The two stars at the edge of the Big Dipper’s bowl — Merak and Dubhe — point directly toward Polaris, the North Star, which anchors the end of the Small Dipper’s handle. Even without labels, you can clearly see how the geometry of the sky reveals direction.

The scene is framed by the silhouettes of trees, and a gentle layer of green and red airglow adds soft, natural color to the background. It’s a beautiful combination of astronomy and landscape — a quiet Utah night where celestial navigation and atmospheric glow meet in a perfect astrophotography moment.

Natural Color of Night Sky - Airglow and Big Dipper Utah Astrophotography

Photo Settings: Canon 60Da, EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM, 21 sec, f/3.5, ISO 6400

Astronomy Rangers Night Sky Program at Bryce Canyon

This photo captures a beautiful moment during the night astronomy program at Bryce Canyon National Park. In the foreground, a telescope stands ready as visitors gather around it, waiting for their turn to look through the eyepiece guided by the park’s Astronomy Rangers. Soft red lights illuminate the area — specially used to preserve night vision during stargazing events — creating a warm glow against the darkness. Behind the viewing area, a small building and the dim outline of the road can be seen, while the surrounding trees frame the scene. Above it all rises the spectacular Milky Way, arching brightly across the sky and reminding everyone why Bryce Canyon is one of the premier dark-sky locations in the world.

Night sky observation with the Astronomy Rangers at Bryce Canyon National Park

Martian Landscape from Bryce Canyon

This single frame from my larger Bryce Canyon panorama focuses tightly on the brightest and most dramatic region of the Milky Way — the galactic center. The rugged hoodoos and canyon walls glow with warm, earthy tones, creating a landscape that looks almost extraterrestrial, as if photographed on Mars rather than Utah. The towering cliffs and formations rise into the night, illuminated subtly by starlight, while the dense core of our galaxy burns overhead in deep gold and orange hues. This combination of Bryce Canyon’s unique geology and the immense Milky Way shining above produces a surreal, otherworldly scene that feels like a gateway to another planet.

Martian landscape from Bryce Canyon

Photo Settings: Canon 60Da, EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30 sec, f/3.5, ISO 6400

Milky Road – Dark Dust Lanes in the Galactic Plane

This single-frame capture reveals the Milky Way rising without any foreground landscape, allowing the viewer to focus entirely on the complex structure of our galaxy. The darker central band — often called the “Great Rift” — is clearly visible as thick clouds of interstellar dust and gas absorb the light from millions of stars behind them. This natural dark lane creates the illusion of a cosmic “road” stretching upward through the sky, giving the image its fitting name: Milky Road. Even without the canyon scenery, the depth, contrast, and clarity of the galactic core make this one of the most dramatic astro-portraits of the night sky.

Milky Road

Photo Settings: Canon 60Da, EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30 sec, f/3.5, ISO 6400

Utah Backyard Astrophotography – Milky Way Over the Fence

This final photo was taken right from the backyard of the house where we stayed for the night. The scene includes the wooden fence, trees, grass, and a few small backyard details illuminated by nearby light — ordinary objects that become magical under Utah’s incredible dark sky.

Above this quiet backyard, the Milky Way rises in full brightness, stretching across the sky like a glowing river of stars. Even far from the national park viewpoints, Utah’s night sky remains phenomenally dark and clear. The strong Milky Way structure, with its dust lanes and bright core, shows how little light pollution there is in this region.

It’s a reminder that breathtaking astrophotography does not always require a dramatic landscape — sometimes an ordinary backyard becomes extraordinary when the galaxy appears right overhead.

Cannonville Utah Backyard Astrophotography

Related Astrophotography Posts

• Milky Way over Sunset Point of Bryce Canyon - Astrophotography
• Utah Astrophotography and Astronomy - Bryce Canyon National Park - Milky Way
• Arching Milky Way over Arches National Park Utah Astrophotography
• Yellowstone Astrophotography - Night Sky and Geysers
• Mauna Kea Observatories - Big Island Hawaii Astrophotography
• Utah Astrophotography

Airglow Astrophotography - Bryce Canyon National Park - Sunset Point

Night sky with green airglow, the Milky Way, Seven Sisters (Pleiades) and Andromeda Galaxy is on the top; hoodoos, caused by erosion over many millennia, are on the bottom. This photo was done from my trip to Bryce Canyon in Sunset Point.

Beginner tip: if the night sky looks green in very dark conditions, it is usually natural airglow — not a mistake. Truly dark skies are rarely blue. Do not use Photoshop to make the sky “blue”; green, yellow, and red tones are natural colors of the dark night sky.

Airglow Astrophotography in Bryce Canyon National Park

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec; f/3.5; ISO 6400

On this picture you can see a lot of green color on the sky. If this is real color or just effect of camera filter? This question directly connected to other question “What is natural color of night sky?”

I started to learn astronomy many years ago reading the book with black and white pictures. So in these books I didn't see color picture of the natural sky. Most of time I was living in big city with a lot of light pollution, and I am not able to see natural color of sky.

Still remember when first time recognize that some starts has color and after that read article about color of stars cannot be green. After that article I assumed that green color is very rear on the sky. But this is not correct.

Most of Comet Tails has green color. Some Nebular are green too. Northern Light mostly has green colors. But Northern Light visible only near North Pole, comets are rear so still assume that this green colors are exceptions. When I started see Internet picture I saw a lot of strange colors so assuming that these is Photoshop. Especially after reading article how to remove light pollution in Photoshop. And only made some my own pictures I recognized that green color from Airglow effect is gives a lot of green on the natural sky. So a green color is pretty common on the natural sky too.

This photo got about 1.5K likes on National Parks Traveler Facebook

National Parks Traveler Facebook Astrophotography

Related Astrophotography Posts

• Milky Way over Sunset Point of Bryce Canyon – Astrophotography
• Arching Milky Way over Arches National Park – Utah
• Different Types of Milky Way Night Landscape – Stair, Sail, Arch
• Milky Way over Yellowstone Old Faithful Geyser
• A Tree and the Milky Way – Bethel, New York
• Unintentional Camera Movement – Bolivia Night Photography
• Removing Light pollution Astrophotography Urban Astronomy

Super Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse September 27, 2015 Brooklyn New York

Total Lunar Eclipse September 27, 2015 Brooklyn New York


Canon 60Da, Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L II USM Telephoto Lens, exposure 4 sec; f/5.6; ISO 640

Super Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse September 27, 2015 New York Brooklyn

Canon 60Da, Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L II USM Telephoto Lens, exposure 1 sec; f/5.6; ISO 640

Super Blood Moon New York City

Canon 60Da, Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L II USM Telephoto Lens, exposure 1 sec; f/9; ISO 320

Lunar Eclipse New York City

Cloudy Lunar Eclipse Brooklyn Astronomy

Cloudy Total Lunar Eclipse

Between clouds Total Lunar Eclipse

Utah Astrophotography and Astronomy - Bryce Canyon National Park - Milky Way

Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the most spectacular places in the United States for both astronomy and night-sky photography. The park's high elevation, dry air, and very low light pollution make it one of the clearest dark-sky locations in the Southwest.

One of the most iconic spots is the Bryce Canyon National Park entrance sign, which sits in an open area with a full view of the sky. On this night, the Milky Way stretched vertically above the entrance, glowing with beautiful green airglow — a natural atmospheric phenomenon often visible only at the darkest locations.

The combination of the illuminated stone entrance sign, tall pine trees, and the bright core of the Milky Way creates a perfect nightscape scene that feels both welcoming and otherworldly.

Utah Astrophotography and Astronomy - Bryce Canyon National Park - Milky Way

Photo Settings

• Camera: Canon 60Da
• Lens: Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM
• Exposure: 30 seconds
• Aperture: f/3.5
• ISO: 6400
• Conditions: Clear dark sky with strong green airglow
• Location: Bryce Canyon National Park entrance sign, Utah, USA

🏆 Award Recognition

This photo won 1st Place in the AstronomyForum.net 3rd Quarter 2015 Astrophotography Competition in the Nightscape Category.

Astronomy Forum Winner 3rd Quarter 2015 Nightscape Category

Final Thoughts

Photographing the Milky Way above the Bryce Canyon entrance sign felt like capturing a welcome message from the universe itself. The bright galactic core, the green glow of atmospheric airglow, the pine trees, and the warm stone sign created a perfect blend of Earth and cosmos.

This is still one of my favorite Utah nightscape images — a reminder of how magical Bryce Canyon becomes after sunset.

Related Astrophotography Posts

• Milky Way Over Sunset Point – Bryce Canyon
• Arching Milky Way – Arches National Park
• Yellowstone Astrophotography
• Utah Astrophotography
• Rainbow of the Milky Way and the Eternal Baobab — Tarangire, Tanzania
• The Milky Way Over Death Valley National Park

Milky Way over Sunset Point of Bryce Canyon - Astrophotography

A still more glorious dawn awaits.
Not a sunrise, but a galaxy rise.
A morning filled with 400 billion suns, the rising of the milky way.
Carl Sagan

Bryce Canyon National Park is one of the best places in the United States for night-sky observation and astrophotography. Its high elevation and extremely low light pollution create truly spectacular skies. On the night I photographed this panorama at Sunset Point, the Milky Way rose above the famous sandstone hoodoos with a natural green glow — the unmistakable signature of atmospheric airglow.

This image continues my series of National Park night-sky photographs, showcasing some of the darkest and clearest skies in America.

Milky Way over Sunset Point of Bryce Canyon - Astrophotography

Photo Settings

• Panorama: 7 vertical shots stitched together
• Camera: Canon 60Da
• Lens: Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM
• Exposure: 30 seconds each
• Aperture: f/3.5
• ISO: 6400
• Location: Sunset Point, Bryce Canyon National Park

The faint green glow visible in the sky is natural atmospheric airglow, not light pollution — one of the signatures of truly dark skies.

Final Thoughts

Standing at Sunset Point that night, the view felt almost unreal — as if the landscape belonged to another planet. The brightest and most dramatic part of the Milky Way rose vertically above the canyon, glowing like a celestial pillar of light. This is the galactic core, the dense center of our galaxy filled with star clouds, dust lanes, and billions of stars — and here it hovered directly above the towering hoodoos of Bryce Canyon.

The canyon cliffs and scattered trees were softly illuminated by the starlight, creating an otherworldly, dream-like scene. The night was so dark and so clear that the Milky Way appeared almost three-dimensional, climbing dramatically into the sky. Combined with the ancient rock formations below, the entire view formed a fantastic and unforgettable night landscape.

This image remains one of my absolute favorites — a rare moment when the glowing heart of our galaxy rises above Bryce Canyon, blending Earth and cosmos into a single breathtaking scene.

Related Astrophotography Posts:

• Arching Milky Way – Arches National Park
• Yellowstone Astrophotography
• Cherry Springs State Park – Dark Sky
• Rainbow of the Milky Way and the Eternal Baobab — Tarangire, Tanzania
• The Milky Way Over Death Valley National Park
• Milky Way over Galapagos Astrophotography

Basketball Astrophotography - White Lake New York

Basketball and Milky Way - Astrophotography

Basketball Astrophotography - White Lake New York

Canon 60Da, Wide Angle EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, ISO 5000, f4, 30 sec

White Lake, New York - Astrophotography

This series of night-sky photographs was captured in Upstate New York, in the Catskill Mountains near White Lake and the historic London Cottages Resort. Although the Catskills are not considered a true dark-sky location, they still offer rewarding astrophotography opportunities under clear summer nights.

These images document a mix of calm lake reflections, starry skies framed by trees, distant clouds, and quiet rural roads illuminated only by starlight. They reflect a style of astrophotography that emphasizes atmosphere and place as much as the night sky itself.

All photographs were taken using a modified Canon EOS 60Da — a DSLR designed for astrophotography — paired with the ultra-wide-angle Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM lens.

Night Reflection - White Lake, Catskill, New York

London Cottages at night - White Lake Catskill New York Upstate

Cloudy Night Sky at Catskill Mountains NY Upstate

Trees and Starry Night - Canon 60Da

Catskill  Bungalows White Lake NY Upstate Night Sky Astrophotography

New York Milky Way

Night Road and Starry Sky

Related Astrophotography Posts:

• Canon 60Da Milky Way Astrophotography Catskill Mountains Upstate NY New York
• Milky Way Over Yosemite National Park
• Antelope Canyon at Night – Arizona Astrophotography
• Cherry Springs State Park – Modern Nightscape Series

Virginia Astrophotography – Natural Bridge and Orion Night Sky

This Virginia astrophotography collection was captured during a short trip, where unfortunately only one night had clear skies. As often happens in astrophotography, timing and weather are everything, and even a single good night can produce memorable results.

All images were taken using a Canon EOS 60Da paired with an ultra wide-angle lens (Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM), a setup well-suited for capturing wide night sky landscapes, constellations, and natural landmarks.

One of the highlights of this session was photographing the night sky over the Natural Bridge in Virginia, where the combination of geological formations and stars creates a powerful foreground for astrophotography compositions.

Despite light pollution in some areas of Virginia (typically Bortle class 4–5), it is still possible to capture beautiful images of the Milky Way, bright constellations such as Orion, and rich star fields—especially on clear nights.

Virginia Astrophotography Natuaral Bridge

One of the highlights of this session was photographing the night sky over the Natural Bridge in Virginia. Although the image was captured after the evening show, when some ambient lighting remained, the combination of the illuminated geological formation and the visible stars still creates a unique and compelling astrophotography composition.

Virginia Astrophotography

Virginia Night Sky Astrophotography

Orion Constellation over Virginia Night Sky

Even in regions that are not considered extremely dark, like Virginia, astrophotography is still very rewarding. With careful planning, clear weather, and a bit of patience, it is possible to capture detailed night sky images and meaningful compositions.

This trip is a good reminder that in astrophotography quality matters more than quantity—sometimes a single clear night is all you need.

Related Astrophotography Posts

• Natural Bridge Virginia Astrophotography – Photos of Natural Bridge During Show
• Cherry Springs State Park Pennsylvania Astrophotography
• Watching the Sky – Meteors at Cherry Springs
• Urban Astrophotography NYC

Natural Bridge Virginia Astrophotography

These nightscape and astrophotography images were captured during my trip to Natural Bridge, Virginia — a historic geological landmark featuring a massive natural limestone arch rising approximately 215 feet high with a span of nearly 90 feet.

All photos were taken during the evening “Drama of Creation” light show. The program begins after sunset, allowing the sky to gradually darken while the bridge is illuminated with changing colors. Each night produces a unique combination of sky brightness, artificial lighting, and natural atmosphere, making every session visually different.

Natural Bridge Virginia Astrophotography

Canon EOS 60Da · Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM · ISO 4000 · f/3.5 · 2 seconds

Natural Bridge Light Show Nightscape AstrophotographyYellow Canon 60Da

  

Canon 60Da, Wide Angle EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, ISO 4000, f3.5, 2 sec

Virginia Night Sky Natural Bridge

 

Canon 60Da, Wide Angle EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, ISO 4000, f3.5, 2 sec

Natural Bridge Night Landscape Virginia

What I like about this location is that the setup stays simple: a tripod, a wide-angle lens, and the same night-sky exposure approach I use under dark skies. Using the Canon 60Da — a camera modified by Canon for astrophotography with enhanced sensitivity to faint light — these settings still captured the atmosphere even during the light show: the colors on the bridge, the structure of the arch, and the gradual change in sky brightness after sunset.

Related Night Landscape & Astrophotography

• Virginia Astrophotography – Natural Bridge and Orion Night Sky
• Yellowstone Night Landscape – Geyser Eruption
• Arching Milky Way over Arches National Park
• Balanced Rock – Arches National Park Nightscape
• Yellowstone Milky Way