A recent NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day highlights Silex Spring in Yellowstone National Park alongside the Milky Way galaxy.
Key facts
- •The featured image is a 16-image panorama taken in 2014.
- •Silex Spring is approximately 10 meters across.
- •The colors in the spring are produced by bacteria layers.
- •The Yellowstone Hotspot caused a supervolcanic eruption about 640,000 years ago.
NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for August 16, 2026, features a composite image of Silex Spring in Yellowstone National Park and the Milky Way galaxy. The 16-image panorama, captured in 2014, shows the colorful hot spring in the foreground with the galactic band arching overhead.
By the numbers
Silex Spring Characteristics
Silex Spring is a pool of water approximately 10 meters across located in Wyoming, USA. The vibrant colors visible in the spring are the result of layers of bacteria thriving in the heated water. The spring is warmed by underground magma linked to the Yellowstone Hotspot, which causes steam to rise from the surface.
Geological Context
The Yellowstone Hotspot is a significant geological feature associated with past volcanic activity. Approximately 640,000 years ago, the hotspot produced a supervolcanic eruption. NASA notes that if the hotspot were to cause another such eruption, a large portion of North America would be affected.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by NASA Breaking News.
