Explanation:
What's that in front of Orion?
Forty kilometers north of
Kahta,
Turkey,
lies
Mount Nemrut, a mountain adorned with the fragments of vast statues built over 2000 years ago.
The
stone sculptures
once stood nearly 10 meters high and depicted lions,
eagles,
various ancient
gods, and
King Antiochus I Theos, who ruled
Commagene
from 86 BC to 38 BC.
Ruins of the bodies of several sitting
figures are visible on the hill above, illuminated by
moonlight.
Zeus'
head can be found near the above image's center,
while the king's head is seen next closest to the horizon.
Visible far in the distance in
this image, taken three months ago, is the familiar
constellation of Orion.
The red patch just below
Orion's belt is the
Orion Nebula,
while the bright star to the left of Orion is
Sirius.
On the far left, a red and brightening horizon announces that the Sun is beginning to rise.
Note : APOD Editor to Speak in New York on Jan. 2
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