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Credit & Copyright: MaryBeth Kiczenski
Explanation:
What created Devils Tower?
The origin of this
extraordinary rock monolith in
Wyoming,
USA is still debated,
with a leading hypothesis holding that it is a
hardened lava plume that never reached the surface to become a volcano.
In this theory, the lighter rock that once surrounded the
dense volcanic neck has now eroded away, leaving
the dramatic tower.
Known by Native Americans by names including
Bear's Lodge
and Great Gray Horn,
the dense rock includes the longest
hexagonal
columns known, some over 180-meters tall.
High above, the
central band of the
Milky Way galaxy arches across the sky.
Many notable sky objects are visible, including dark strands of the
Pipe Nebula and the
reddish Lagoon Nebula to the tower's right.
Green grass and trees line
the foreground,
while clouds appear near the horizon to the tower's left.
Unlike many other international landmarks, mountaineers are permitted to
climb Devils Tower.
Birthday 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