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Credit & Copyright: Juergen Schmoll
(Durham University, CfAI)
Explanation:
The bulging center of
our Milky Way Galaxy
rests on a pillar of light in this luminous skyscape.
Recorded on September 22nd in dark South African skies,
rivers of dust seem to flow downward from the galactic center
towards Antares, yellowish
alpha star of the constellation Scorpius, near the top of the scene.
The brightest celestial beacon present is not a star at all though, but
planet Venus, still dominant in the western sky after sunset.
Of course, the pillar of light stretching upward from the horizon is
Zodiacal light.
Sunlight scattered by dust along the plane of
the ecliptic creates the
zodiacal glow, prominent in the evening after twilight
during the
southern hemisphere spring.
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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: Galactic Center - zodiacal light - Scorpius
Publications with words: Galactic Center - zodiacal light - Scorpius
See also:
- The Dark Tower in Scorpius
- APOD: 2024 April 1 Á Swirling Magnetic Field around Our Galaxys Central Black Hole
- Milky Way Rising
- APOD: 2023 April 3 Á The Galactic Center Radio Arc
- APOD: 2023 February 27 Á Zodiacal Ray with Venus and Jupiter
- Milky Way and Zodiacal Light over Australian Pinnacles
- Dueling Bands in the Night