Starship Asterisk*

Milky Way over Devils Tower

Explanation: What created Devils Tower? The origin of this extraordinary rock monolith in Wyoming, USA is still debated, with a leading hypothesis holding that it is a hardened lava plume that never reached the surface to become a volcano. In this theory, the lighter rock that once surrounded the dense volcanic neck has now eroded away, leaving the dramatic tower. Known by Native Americans by names including Bear's Lodge and Great Gray Horn, the dense rock includes the longest hexagonal columns known, some over 180-meters tall. High above, the central band of the Milky Way galaxy arches across the sky. Many notable sky objects are visible, including dark strands of the Pipe Nebula and the reddish Lagoon Nebula to the tower's right. Green grass and trees line the foreground, while clouds appear near the horizon to the tower's left. Unlike many other international landmarks, mountaineers are permitted to climb Devils Tower.

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“This means something. This is important.” – Roy Neary

I am amazed and a bit dismayed that there's only one comment in that vein. Don't you all know this is not just any old pile of lava?

Beautiful and intriguing is how I would describe it!

With photos similar to this one, please let me know if it would be possible to list the date and time the photo was taken with the information at the top of the Discuss page. Thank you.
Tom Hoffelder