Milky Way and Mars above Mt Huayna Potosi
by James Brunker
Title
Milky Way and Mars above Mt Huayna Potosi
Artist
James Brunker
Medium
Photograph
Description
Mars shines brightly above Mt Huayna Potosi in Bolivia's Cordillera Real range on a still night during the first week of May 2016. The photo was taken a few days before the date when Earth passed between Mars and the sun so the 2 planets were at their closest (in opposition), an event that occurs every 2 and a bit years. The bright "star" almost directly above Mars is Saturn. Mars is also in the head area of the constellation Scorpio, you can see the body arcing up to the left with Scorpio's brightest star Antares making a triangle with Mars and Saturn. The Milky Way's Galactic Center is above the planets; this image is actually 4 photos stitched together vertically so the Milky Way could be included. The orange glow in the clouds is from lights in the city of El Alto approx 30 miles / 50km away.
Photograph © James Brunker. Reproduction, transmission or use in any form (print, website, etc) without prior written permission strictly prohibited.
Uploaded
July 26th, 2016
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