Posted on 12/17/2021 4:16:41 PM PST by MtnClimber
Explanation: An arid expanse of the Tengger Desert in north-central China, planet Earth fills the foreground of this starry scene. A widefield panoramic view, it was recorded shortly after moonset in the local predawn hours of December 14. Pictured in the still dark sky, stars of the northern winter hexagon surround a luminous Milky Way. Seen near the peak of the annual meteor shower, the startling flash of a bright Geminid fireball meteor was also captured on that night. Above the western horizon and just below bright star Capella, its dagger-like trail points back to the meteor shower's radiant in Gemini. Of course, the constellation Gemini is easy to spot. Its twin bright stars, bluish Castor and yellowish Pollux are near top center in the frame.
For more detail go to the link and click on the image for a high definition image. You can then move the magnifying glass cursor then click to zoom in and click again to zoom out. When zoomed in you can scan by moving the side bars on the bottom and right side of the image.
Such desolation below the horizon almost looks like another planet, but there is a bit of vegetation in one area midway back, and quite a lot farther in the distance. And above the horizon is amazing.
The Winter Hexagon is actually a heptagon, but since this is taken from China you can just say 2 + 5 = 6.
Alien firing.... there goes Cincinnati!
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