Desert Dreams: The Milky Way Over Death Valley

Wüstenträume: Die Milchstraße über dem Death Valley

#Astro, #USA

Desert Dreams: The Milky Way Over Death Valley

Death Valley, located in eastern California, is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the United States. Famous for its extreme landscapes, it features vast desert plains, towering sand dunes, and the striking salt flats of Badwater Basin, which sit 282 feet (86 meters) below sea level. Despite its harsh environment, Death Valley is home to diverse wildlife and surreal natural beauty, offering stunning night skies illuminated by the Milky Way.

On our west-coast trip in July and August 2024, we made an unforgettable stop in Death Valley. The landscape was breathtaking, and the heat—both day and night—was intense. Photographing the Milky Way over the surreal salt desert, with its intricate patterns, was a magical experience. We found the perfect spot in a small parking lot within the salt flats to watch the sunset and capture some astrophotography and timelapses. Although we were a bit nervous about the remote gate potentially locking us in, we could leave late in the evening with amazing memories and stunning shots of this extraordinary place.