Night over the Atacama

A view from the Chilean Atacama Desert, showing the Milky Way shining brightly overhead. Taken during the ESO Ultra HD Expedition.

In the background, the quiet beauty of the Atacama sky is enhanced by a orange/yellow aurora-like shimmer, called airglow, which is caused by light-emitting chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Normally, those emissions are not so strong, but the night this image was taken they were unusually bright, producing this unusual picture.

Credit:

ESO/B. Tafreshi (twanight.org)

About the Image

Id:uhd_img_1312pv1c1-cc
Type:Photographic
Release date:30 May 2014, 16:04
Size:4399 x 4399 px

About the Object

Name:Atacama Desert, Milky Way
Type:Milky Way
Unspecified : Sky Phenomenon : Night Sky
Category:Chile

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