Photo Info
Anchorage, Alaska
Nikon D850 with a Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens
1/2 second, ƒ/8, ISO 400
The “Anchorage Moonrise” Experience
A full moon rises above Anchorage, Alaska on March 1, 2018 at 7 pm while the Star at Arctic Valley twinkles on the Chugach Range and Cook Inlet ice pans exit with the outgoing tide. This stellar view is from Earthquake Park at the western end of Northern Lights Boulevard.
About the Star…
The star you see in this image on the steep slopes of the Chugach Range is at an elevation of 4000 feet above sea level, is 300 feet in diameter (wide as a football field) and is made up of around 350 - 60 watt lightbulbs. From this viewpoint the star is about 15 miles away on land controlled by the Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson and is maintained by military work crews.
The original star, put up in 1958 on a guardhouse, was only 15 feet in diameter. In 1959 the Army upscaled it to 117’ in diameter with 250 bulbs. Due to avalanche danger the present configuration was created in 1989 and still requires annual maintenance due to the extreme conditions it has to endure.
During the deep winter months military & civilian personnel in the Anchorage & Eagle River area enjoy this beautiful beacon of light. Every year, just after Thanksgiving, the 5-point star gets turned on and remains on until the last Iditarod musher crosses the finish line in Nome sometime in March.
Photo Info
Anchorage, Alaska
Nikon D850 with a Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens
1/2 second, ƒ/8, ISO 400
