Explanation:
Pointing skyward, the wall of this ruined Viking church
still stands after a thousand winters, near the town of
Vallentuna, Sweden.
The time exposure records the scene on December 14th as
stars leave graceful arcing trails during a long night,
reflecting planet Earth's daily rotation on
its axis.
The Earth's
axis points toward Polaris, the North Star,
near the center of the concentric trails.
Welcomed by
skygazers
on this winter's night, a bright meteor from the annual
Geminid meteor shower
also flashes through the frame.
The meteor cuts across the star trails just above the lower church wall.
Contributing to the beautiful composition, meteor streak
and church apex both gesture toward the
North Celestial Pole.
