Astronomy Picture of the Day

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.

2022 October 30
The featured image shows steam rising from several separated vents at Hverir, a geothermally active field in Iceland. Green aurora rage in the background. Please see the explanation for more detailed information.

Night on a Spooky Planet
Image Credit & Copyright: Stéphane Vetter (Nuits sacrées)

Explanation: What spooky planet is this? Planet Earth of course, on a dark and stormy night in 2013 at Hverir, a geothermally active area along the volcanic landscape in northeastern Iceland. Geomagnetic storms produced the auroral display in the starry night sky while ghostly towers of steam and gas venting from fumaroles danced against the eerie greenish light. For now, auroral apparitions are increasing as our Sun approaches solar maximum. And pretty soon ghostly shapes may dance in your neighborhood too.

Tomorrow's picture: big bat

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