Badwater Radiance

Story

California’s Death Valley National Park holds extraordinary sights, some small, and some large and sweeping. Perhaps there is no larger feature than Badwater Basin. The basin, depending on the last rain, is either a lake or a dry salt flat. Badwater Radiance showcases the lake bed as salt flats on a winter’s night.

The basin itself is 282 feet (85.95 meters) below sea level, making it the lowest point in North America. Can you tell just by being there that this is the lowest point? No, not at all. You’re surrounded by mountains and truly, you could be anywhere. But still, just knowing you are at the lowest point is an experience in and of itself.

Add to that a crystal clear winter’s night with the myriad of stars shining above, and the experience transcends anything else. Badwater Radiance features the “Winter Arch” of the Milky Way, which is the portion of the Milky Way visible in the winter months of the Northern Hemisphere. Regardless, you can see the arch itself.

Additionally, you can also many of the incredible emission nebulas not normally visible with the unaided eye. Appearing as large loops and swirls, these make a dramatic effect on the scene.

Finally, there is no place in North America that extrudes radiance like Badwater Basin in the winter.

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