Milky Way Mosaic
May 28, 2013
Photographer: Miguel Claro
Summary Author: Miguel Claro
This breathtaking mosaic of the Milky Way was imaged in the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve of Portugal, just before dawn in early April of 2013. Though the waning crescent Moon shines brightly (lower center), it's not so bright as to interfere with the glow of the Milky Way, shown here arching over the Convent of Orada (constructed in 1670).
Click on image to see annotated constellations. At far left is Ursa Minor (Little Bear) and Polaris, the star nearly directly above the Earth's North Celestial Pole. At far right are Scorpius (Scorpion) and the brilliant, red supergiant Antares. Cygnus (the Swan) is at top left center, and just below the bright white star, Deneb, the North American Nebula (NGC7000) can be found.
Photo Details: Canon 60Da camera; ISO 1600; Lens 24mm f/2; 15 sec. exposure. Mosaic of 21 images, taken at 05:32 a.m. on April 6, 2013.
[3/19]