Explanation:
On September 7th, the first quarter Moon and passing clouds
contributed to a dramatic night sky over the
Byurakan
Astrophysical Observatory.
This panoramic view begins at the left looking toward the
eastern horizon and the rising stars of the constellation
Perseus.
Sweeping your gaze to the right (south), you'll find the
large observatory dome, housing a 2.6 meter diameter telescope,
backlit by lights from nearby Yerevan,
capital city of Armenia.
Fittingly poised above the observatory dome is the bright, giant
star Enif
in the high-flying constellation
Pegasus.
Farther to the right, the brightest celestial beacon
just above the clouds is our Solar System's ruling
gas giant Jupiter.
At the far right, the Moon is nearly hidden by an approaching
cloudbank, but the clouds themselves actually cast shadows
in the bright moonlight, creating
the effect of Moon rays
across the evening sky.
digg_url = 'http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080926.html'; digg_skin = 'compact';
