All-Sky View of the Milky Way

December 18, 2014

MonsarazDarkSky-360ViewFullcircle-net

Photographer
: Miguel Claro; Miguel's Web site
Summary Authors: Miguel Claro; Jim Foster

Shown above is an all-sky view of the Milky Way captured from Monsaraz, Portugal, behind the Orada Convent, one of the areas covered by the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve. The Milky Way is actually crossing the entire sky from horizon to horizon. Near the center of the image, at the zenith of the sky (90 degrees above the horizon), the North America Nebula can be detected in the constellation of Cygnus the Swan (The Northern Cross). Note that the yellowish band encircling the horizon is light pollution, emanating from nearby towns. The pale, green color band above the light pollution layer results from airglow. Image taken on July 27, 2014 at approximately 1:45 a.m. Compare this image to the Earth Science Picture of the Day for May 28, 2013.
 
Photo details: Canon 60Da camera; ISO 2000; 11 mm at f/2.8; 30 sec  exposure. All-sky mosaic of 23 images.