Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2008 December 31

The Sky in Motion
Credit & Copyright: Video: Till Credner, (The Sky in Motion.com)
Music: túrána hott kurdis by hasta la otra méxico!

Explanation: Still need to come up with a good new year's resolution? Consider one appropriate for 2009, the International Year of Astronomy; just look up -- experience, learn, and enjoy the changing sky. This 4-minute, time-lapse video is composed from a series of 7,000 images highlighting much of what you could see. Arcing through the sky in a stately reflection of planet Earth's own rotation are Moon, Sun and stars. But the sequence also features satellites and meteors streaking overhead, clouds moving along the horizon changing in a beautiful iridescence, and beaming crepuscular rays.

Note : APOD Editor to Speak in New York on Jan. 2

Tomorrow's picture: 2009, Year of Astronomy


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Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
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