September 11, 2012
The oldest light in the universe still hums faintly through space, a relic of the beginning itself.
Milky Way Over the Bungle Bungles
Birthday · September 11, 2012
A little universe, just for you
Your date.
Ready to give.
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APOD published September 11, 2012. Credit: Mike Salway. A publication-date match, not a photo taken on your date. Independent of NASA.
Which part of this picture do you find more interesting -- the land or the sky? Advocates for the land might cite the beauty of the ancient domes of the Bungle Bungle Range in Western Australia. These picturesque domes appear as huge layered beehives and are made of sandstones and conglomerates deposited over 350 million years ago. Advocates for the sky might laud the beauty of the Milky Way's central band shown arching from horizon to horizon. The photogenic Milky Way band formed over 10 billion years ago and now includes many well-known nebulae and bright stars. Fortunately, you don't have to decide and can enjoy both together in this beautiful 8-frame panorama taken from the dark skies of Purnululu National Park about two months ago. Decide Anyway: Land or Sky?
Image credit: Mike Salway