June 20, 2014
The universe is under no obligation to make sense to us, and yet here you are — a collection of atoms that somehow learned to think, to...
Rio at Night
Birthday · June 20, 2014
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APOD published June 20, 2014. Credit: Babak Tafreshi. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
In this night skyscape setting stars trail above the western horizon over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a venue for the 2014 World Cup. Gentle arcs from the bright, colorful stars of Orion are near the center of the frame, while the starfield itself straddles planet Earth's celestial equator during the long exposure. Of course, trails from more local lights seem to create the strident paths through the scene. Air traffic smears an intense glow over an airport at the far right, while helicopters fly above the city and boats cruise near the coast. Striping the waterfront are tantalizing reflections of bright lights along Rio's central beaches, Botafogo and Flamengo. Near the horizon, the brightest fixed light is the famous Cristo statue overlooking Rio at night.
Image credit: Babak Tafreshi