Milky Way viewed from Joshua Tree National Park, via Department of Interior Twitter feed: There is some spectacular stargazing to be had @JoshuaTreeNP in #California. #MilkyWay
The bucket list of places to watch stars just keeps growing. Interior’s photo from Joshua Tree National Park should make you salivate, too.
Who is the photographer?
When you go, look up Chris Clarke and buy him a drink.
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Astronomy, Milky Way, National Parks, Travel | Tagged: Astronomy, Joshua Tree National Park, Milky Way, National Parks, Travel | 
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Posted by Ed Darrell
A long exposure, you can tell by the airplane streaks near the horizon. Walking that fine photography edge of long enough to get the exposure, but short enough not to distort the stars too much.
Long exposure of a Joshua tree, in Joshua Tree National Park. Photo: Sarah Chah (www.sharetheexperience.org)
Captioned at America’s Great Outdoors Tumblr, by the U.S. Department of Interior:
Viewed from the road, this desert park only hints at its vitality. Closer examination reveals a fascinating variety of plants and animals that make their home in this land shaped by strong winds, unpredictable torrents of rain, and climatic extremes. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the attraction of this place. Come see Joshua Tree National Park for yourself!
Photo: Sarah Chah (www.sharetheexperience.org)
Leave a Comment » | Geography - Physical, National Parks, Outdoor Recreation, Travel | Tagged: California, geography, Joshua Tree National Park, National Parks, Outdoor Recreation, photography, Travel | Permalink
Posted by Ed Darrell
Here’s a video I would like to use as a a warm-up, or prompt to a study of American geography.
Evosia Photography, the hangout of Henry Jun Wah Lee, has a short but spectacular tour of several sites in the American Southwest deserts — Arizona, California, Utah, and Navajoland — timelapse movies, usually shot at night with starry backgrounds.
He has set the photography against the music of a band named Conjure One, an edited version of their recording “Manic Star.”
Certainly there is copyright, at least a Creative Commons license — you should attribute this film to Mr. Lee and the music to Conjure One.
Can you identify these sites? Can your students? Can they map out a plan to visit these sites as one exercise? Can you and your students identify any of the constellations on view? (List of sites, from Mr. Lee, below the fold.)
Have you, or your students, ever visited any of those sites, and gazed at the stars? Why not?
Leave a Comment » | Geography - Physical, Geography - Political, National Parks, Native Americans, Navajo, photography | Tagged: Arizona, California, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, geography, Joshua Tree National Park, Monument Valley, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Petrified Forest National Monument, photography, Sedona, Utah | Permalink
Posted by Ed Darrell
Ed Darrell on Texas's Colorado River
Come on in, the water's fine. Come often: Cleanliness is next to godliness.
Millard Fillmore's Bathtub 