Astronomy Picture of the Day
Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our
fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation
written by a professional astronomer.
2021 March 5
A Little Like Mars
Image Credit & Copyright: Robert Barsa
Explanation: The surface of this planet looks a little like Mars. It's
really planet Earth though. In a digitally stitched little planet
projection, the 360 degree mosaic was captured near San Pedro in the
Chilean Atacama desert. Telescopes in domes on the horizon are taking
advantage of the region's famously dark, clear nights. Taken in early
December, a magnificent Milky Way arcs above the horizon for almost 180
degrees around the little planet with Orion prominent in the southern
sky. A familiar constellation upside down for northern hemisphere
skygazers, Orion shares that southern December night almost opposite
the Large and Small Magellanic clouds. But the Red Planet itself is the
brightest yellowish celestial beacon in this little planet sky.
Please take a short survey in aesthetics & astronomy: Sonification
Tomorrow's picture: light-weekend
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Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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