As the Sun Sets – Grand Teton NP, WY
Grand Teton NP is well known for the iconic peaks that form the Teton Mountain range. During the day, those peaks are the backdrop for a large variety of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, kayaking, climbing, and so on. As the sun sets and things quiet down in the Jackson Hole valley, the environment begins to take on a new feel. When the conditions are right, it can be absolutely spectacular.
Teton Sunset – Grand Teton NP
The setting sun in the west, passing through the mountain range disperses into beams of light made this evening one to remember. The Tetons are one of the youngest mountain ranges in the Rocky Mountains as displayed with this rugged landscape. These mountains began forming less than 9 million years ago as part of a fault system that lifted the range several thousand feet above the valley floor. Weather permitting, the setting sun provides a great silhouette view of this geologic wonder.
As the night continues to progress, this remote valley provides a great location to view the stars of the Milky Way galaxy as seen in this photo looking south from the Jackson Lake area.
Milky Way View from Jackson Lake – Grand Teton NP
On this particular trip in early October, 2013, I was camping in the Signal Mountain Campground in the park. A little tent malfunction the night prior forced me to bail out of the tent and move into the back of the truck. Although nice and cozy in the truck, the outside temperature had fallen into the low 30s. The need to make a trip to the “little boy’s room” at about 4:00 AM left me wide awake and staring at an amazing night sky. So, I hopped back in the truck and took a ride out into one of the open meadows north of Jenny Lake. Here is what I found:
Star Night View – Tetons
This roadside turnoff along the main park road provided the perfect photo spot. A sliver of moon behind me, along with the millions of stars provided sufficient light to capture this spectacular night time view. Mount Moran, one of the famous peaks, is just slightly right of center in the picture. What I realized, when looking over the image, is that this shot also allowed a peek of the Andromeda Galaxy. The galaxy, which is 2.3 million light years from earth, is seen as a fuzzy-looking star in the center of the photograph about 1/4 of the distance from the top. The Star Night View was taken using my Canon 50D, EF-S 10-22mm lens set to 10mm, 85 second exposure with the f-stop set at 3.5, ISO 3200.
While this picture of the night sky is cool, it pales in comparison to the experience of being there. The cool, crisp night with a blanket of stars and listening to the elk bugle in the distance was beyond surreal. It was truly a spiritual moment that I will never forget.
If you want to try to wrap your head around what this image displays:
- 1 Light Year is 5,865,696,000,000 miles
- Closest Star (other than our sun) is 24,000,000,000,000 miles away…ish
- Andromeda Galaxy is 2.3 million light years away
- How Stuff Works – Astronomy
- EarthSky.org
For more information on visiting this area check out the post on Fall Colors – Grand Teton NP:
Leave a Reply