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Credit & Copyright: Florian Breuer
Explanation:
In front of a famous background of stars and galaxies lies some of Earth's more unusual
trees.
Known as quiver trees, they are actually
succulent
aloe plants that can grow to tree-like
proportions.
The quiver tree
name is derived from the historical usefulness of their hollowed branches as dart
holders.
Occurring primarily in southern
Africa, the trees pictured in the
above 16-exposure composite are in
Quiver Tree Forest
located in southern Namibia.
Some of the tallest quiver trees
in the park are estimated to be about 300 years old.
Behind
the trees
is light from the small town of
Keetmanshoop,
Namibia.
Far in the distance,
arching across the background, is the majestic
central band of our
Milky Way Galaxy.
Even further in the distance, visible on the image left, are the
Large and
Small Magellanic Clouds,
smaller satellite galaxies of the Milky Way that are
prominent in the skies of
Earth's southern hemisphere.
Last Repetitive Day this Century:
For one second today the date and time will be 12/12/12 12:12:12.
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Milky Way
Publications with words: Milky Way
See also:
- APOD: 2024 November 24 Á Journey to the Center of the Galaxy
- APOD: 2024 November 5 Á Milky Way over Easter Island
- APOD: 2024 August 4 Á Gaia: Here Comes the Sun
- APOD: 2024 July 29 Á Milky Way over Uluru
- APOD: 2024 May 29 Á Stairway to the Milky Way
- APOD: 2023 December 12 Á Aurora and Milky Way over Norway
- Milky Way Rising