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Credit & Copyright: Michael Goh
Explanation:
What strange world is this?
Earth.
In the foreground of the featured image are the
Pinnacles,
unusual rock spires in
Nambung National Park in Western
Australia.
Made of ancient sea shells
(limestone),
how these human-sized
picturesque spires formed remains unknown.
In the background, just past the end of the central Pinnacle, is a bright crescent
Moon.
The eerie glow around the Moon is mostly
zodiacal light,
sunlight reflected by dust grains orbiting between the planets in the
Solar System.
Arching across the top is the central band of our
Milky Way Galaxy.
Many famous
stars and
nebulas are also visible in the background night sky.
The featured 29-panel panorama was taken and composed in
2015 September after detailed planning that involved the Moon,
the rock spires, and their corresponding
shadows.
Even so, the strong zodiacal light was a pleasant
surprise.
Your Sky Surprise:
What picture did APOD feature on your birthday? (post 1995)
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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