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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.
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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 - zodiacal light
Publications with words: Milky Way - zodiacal light
See also:
- APOD: 2025 May 20 B Milky Way over Maunakea
- APOD: 2025 May 13 B Gaia Reconstructs a Top View of our Galaxy
- APOD: 2025 May 12 B Gaia Reconstructs a Side View of our Galaxy
- Galaxies in Space
- APOD: 2025 February 9 B Milky Way over the Australian Pinnacles
- APOD: 2024 November 24 B Journey to the Center of the Galaxy
- APOD: 2024 November 5 B Milky Way over Easter Island