Astronomy Picture of the Day

   [1]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.

                               2025 February 9
      [2]A flat landscape is shown at night that appears mostly brown.
    Numerous unusual rock spires are seen rising from the group. Above, a
    full star field is seen with the arch of our Milky Way Galaxy curving
      from left to right. Please see the explanation for more detailed
                                information.

                   Milky Way over the Australian Pinnacles
                  Image Credit & Copyright: [3]Michael Goh

   Explanation: What strange world is this? [4]E[5]a[6]r[7]t[8]h. In the
   foreground of the featured image are the [9]Pinnacles, unusual rock
   spires in [10]Nambung National Park in Western [11]Australia. Made of
   ancient sea shells ([12]limestone), how these human-sized
   [13]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 [14]zodiacal light, sunlight
   reflected by dust grains orbiting between the planets in the [15]Solar
   System. Arching across the top is the central band of our [16]Milky Way
   Galaxy. Many famous [17]stars and [18]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 [19]shadows. Even so,
   the strong zodiacal light was a pleasant [20]surprise.

   Your Sky Surprise: [21]What picture did APOD feature on your birthday?
                                 (post 1995)
                        Tomorrow's picture: glow bird
     __________________________________________________________________

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    Authors & editors: [33]Robert Nemiroff ([34]MTU) & [35]Jerry Bonnell
                                 ([36]UMCP)
          NASA Official: Amber Straughn [37]Specific rights apply.
            [38]NASA Web Privacy, [39]Accessibility, [40]Notices;
                A service of: [41]ASD at [42]NASA / [43]GSFC,
                         [44]NASA Science Activation
                           & [45]Michigan Tech. U.

References

   1. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
   2. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/2502/PinnaclesGalaxy_Goh_2400.jpg
   3. https://astrophotobear.com/about/
   4. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap150223.html
   5. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap121017.html
   6. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap150126.html
   7. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap150412.html
   8. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap130505.html
   9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pinnacles_(Western_Australia)
  10. https://youtu.be/7XOkWFIjz_M
  11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia
  12. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2011-05-11-ct-x-c-fossils-in-chicagoland-buildin20110511-story.html
  13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=do7zg4wJfyE
  14. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap140911.html
  15. https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/solar-system-facts/
  16. http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/galaxy.html
  17. https://science.nasa.gov/universe/stars/
  18. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap120106.html
  19. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap190217.html
  20. https://www.reddit.com/r/cats/comments/8yooo5/happy_kitten/#lightbox
  21. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html
  22. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250208.html
  23. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
  24. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/apsubmit2015.html
  25. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/aptree.html
  26. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/apod/apod_search
  27. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/allyears.html
  28. https://apod.com/feed.rss
  29. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/edlinks.html
  30. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html
  31. https://asterisk.apod.com/discuss_apod.php?date=250209
  32. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap250210.html
  33. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/faculty/Nemiroff.html
  34. http://www.phy.mtu.edu/
  35. https://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/htmltest/jbonnell/www/bonnell.html
  36. http://www.astro.umd.edu/
  37. https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/lib/about_apod.html#srapply
  38. https://www.nasa.gov/about/highlights/HP_Privacy.html
  39. https://www.nasa.gov/general/accessibility/
  40. https://www.nasa.gov/privacy/
  41. https://astrophysics.gsfc.nasa.gov/
  42. https://www.nasa.gov/
  43. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/
  44. https://science.nasa.gov/learners
  45. http://www.mtu.edu/