October 20, 2013
The cosmos has been expanding since the beginning of time, making room for galaxies, for stars, for planets — and ultimately, for you.
Three Galaxies and a Comet
Birthday · October 20, 2013
A little universe, just for you
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APOD published October 20, 2013. Credit: Miloslav Druckmuller (Brno University of Technology). A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
Diffuse starlight and dark nebulae along the southern Milky Way arc over the horizon and sprawl diagonally through this gorgeous nightscape. The breath-taking mosaic spans a wide 100 degrees, with the rugged terrain of the Patagonia, Argentina region in the foreground. Along with the insider's view of our own galaxy, the image features our outside perspective on two irregular satellite galaxies - the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. The scene also captures the broad tail and bright coma of Comet McNaught, the Great Comet of 2007. Currently, many sky enthusiasts are following the development of Comet ISON, a comet which might become the Great Comet of 2013.
Image credit: Miloslav Druckmuller (Brno University of Technology)