A mesmerizing time-lapse photograph captures the stars arcing across the night sky above a totem pole in Glacier Bay, Alaska, creating graceful trails of light that reveal the rotation of the Earth. Star trails are produced by taking a series of long-exposure images over several minutes or hours and then stacking them together, allowing the apparent motion of the stars to be recorded as continuous streaks. The totem pole in the foreground adds a striking cultural and visual anchor, contrasting with the swirling celestial patterns above. This technique not only highlights the beauty of the night sky in remote, light-free regions like Glacier Bay but also offers a poetic glimpse into the passage of time and the enduring presence of both natural and human-made landmarks in Alaska’s wilderness. Photographer: Sean Neilson