The Austin Dam Ruins, located near Austin, Pennsylvania, are one of the most dramatic historic landmarks in the region surrounding Cherry Springs State Park — one of the darkest sky locations in the eastern United States. The massive concrete remains of the dam create an unusual foreground for nightscape astrophotography, combining history, landscape, and a pristine starry sky.
The original dam was constructed in 1909 to supply water for the Bayless Pulp and Paper Mill. On September 30, 1911, the dam catastrophically failed after heavy rains, sending a destructive flood through the valley below and causing significant loss of life. A second dam was later rebuilt on the same site, but it also failed during a severe flood in 1942. After the second disaster the structure was never rebuilt.
Today the broken concrete walls remain as a memorial and historic site. Since 1994 the Austin Dam Memorial Park Association has worked to preserve the ruins and maintain the surrounding parkland. For photographers visiting the Cherry Springs region, the dam provides a striking foreground subject beneath the dark skies of northern Pennsylvania.
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| Austin Dam Ruins - Cherry Springs State Park Pennsylvania Astrophotography |
Camera settings: Canon EOS Ra, ISO 16,000, 15 sec exposure, Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens at f/2.8.
One interesting atmospheric phenomenon visible in this image is green airglow. Airglow is a natural emission of light from Earth's upper atmosphere caused by chemical reactions involving oxygen and other molecules at altitudes of about 90–100 km. Under very dark skies — such as those around Cherry Springs — airglow often appears as faint green bands or waves across the sky.
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| Green Sky and Red Milky Way - Cherry Spring State Park Pennsylvania Astrophotography |
Camera settings: Canon EOS Ra, ISO 10,000, 25 sec exposure, Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, f/2.8.
Cherry Springs State Park is known for its exceptionally dark skies, often approaching Bortle Class 2-3 conditions. These skies allow faint phenomena such as airglow, zodiacal light, and the detailed structure of the Milky Way to become visible both visually and in long-exposure astrophotography.
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| Austin Dam Ruins map |
Although truly dark skies are rare in the eastern United States, locations such as the Cherry Springs region of Pennsylvania still offer remarkable conditions for astrophotography. Farther west, dark skies become even more common. Large areas of the western United States — particularly in states like Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California — provide vast regions with minimal light pollution, allowing the Milky Way, airglow, and other faint sky phenomena to appear with striking clarity. For night sky photographers, exploring these different dark-sky environments is part of the adventure.
Related Astrophotography Posts – Pennsylvania Dark Skies
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Cherry Springs State Park Pennsylvania Astrophotography
One of the darkest sky locations in the eastern United States. Cherry Springs State Park is famous for Milky Way visibility, airglow, and meteor observing under Bortle Class 2 skies. -
Watching the Sky, Observing Meteors, Making Wishes – Cherry Springs State Park Pennsylvania
Meteor watching and night sky observation during a dark-sky session at Cherry Springs. Under excellent conditions, faint meteors and the detailed structure of the Milky Way become visible. -
Boulder Field – Hickory Run State Park Pennsylvania Night Sky
Nightscape astrophotography above the famous Boulder Field in Hickory Run State Park. This location offers darker skies than most eastern U.S. locations, approaching Bortle Class 5-6. -
Cloudy Starry Night Sky
Even partial cloud cover can create interesting astrophotography compositions. Moving clouds illuminated by starlight and nearby light pollution reveal the sky brightness typical of Bortle Class 6 skies near Delaware Water Gap.
