Milky Way Captured Over Yellowstone's Silex Spring

A breathtaking panorama capturing the Milky Way arching over Silex Spring in Yellowstone National Park has been featured as NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) for August 16, 2026. This image, taken in 2014 by photographer Dave Lane, showcases the vibrant colors of Silex Spring, a geothermal feature in Wyoming, USA.

The colors of Silex Spring are the result of bacterial layers thriving in the hot spring, which is heated by underground magma linked to the Yellowstone Hotspot. This artificial illumination brings out the vivid hues of the spring, creating a striking contrast with the night sky above.

The central band of the Milky Way, visible in the image, is illuminated by billions of stars. This celestial view is unrelated to the geothermal activity below but adds a cosmic dimension to the earthly scene. The panorama consists of 16 images stitched together to provide a comprehensive view of the night sky over the spring.

The Yellowstone Hotspot, responsible for heating Silex Spring, has a history of supervolcanic eruptions, the last of which occurred approximately 640,000 years ago. Such an event today would have significant impacts on North America. However, the current focus remains on the natural beauty captured in the photograph.