AstronomyPicture of the Day—20190119

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.

2019 January 19

Cabinunder the Stars

ImageCredit & Copyright: P-M Hedén (Clear Skies, TWAN)

Explanation:Gocka's, a family nickname for the mountain cabin, and a wooden sled from ageneration past stand quietly under the stars. The single exposure image wastaken on January 6 from Tanndalen Sweden to evoke a simple visual experience ofthe dark mountain skies. A pale band of starlight along the Milky Way sweepsthrough the scene. At the foot of Orion the Hunter, bright star Rigel shinesjust above the old kicksled's handrail. Capella, alpha star of Auriga thecelestial charioteer, is the brightest star at the top of the frame. In fact,the familiar stars of the winter hexagon and the Pleiades star cluster can allbe found in this beautiful skyscape from a northern winter night.