Explanation:
In myth,
Atlas holds up the heavens, but in this stunning view
a mountain appears to serve as the southern night
sky pivots around a snowy peak.
Recorded during a climbing expedition at an altitude
above 19,000 feet (temperature -18 degrees C), the picture
places the
South Celestial Pole
over the
Andes mountain
Ojos del Salado.
Topping out at over 22,000 feet, the Ojos del Salado is a
stratovolcano,
the highest active volcano
on planet Earth.
The time exposure lasted an hour and a half, recording the graceful
arcing star trails along with the
rising Milky Way (left) and
setting Magellanic clouds.
