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Planetary Beacon over the Atacama Desert

Planetary Beacon over Atacama Desert

Planetary Beacon over Atacama Desert

Planetary Beacon over the Atacama Desert

Immersive Milky Way sets over mountainous Atacama Desert. Bright light over the horizon is NOT a car but planet Jupiter! Captured in ephemeral moment over horizon, it looks like a flash of a beacon. Actually, it sets between two hills, both occupied by domes of telescopes–ESO Paranal Observatory (on left) and ESO VISTA Observatory (right). Image was taken from SPECULOOS platform below these two observatories on 4th July 2019. On the wider version, you can spot the Large Magellanic Cloud “drowning” in colorful airglow. Second brightest object (near the top-center) is planet Saturn. Both planets are nowadays better and better visible by midnight due to their upcoming oppositions during July. Used Canon 6D BCF modified, Sigma 50mm, f1.8, ISO 10000, panorama of 18 single 10s exposures taken from tripod.

Planetary Beacon over Atacama Desert - wider version

Planetary Beacon over the Atacama Desert – wider version