Moon, Milky Way and Saturn

As seen on Astronomy Picture of the Day the rising moon and the Milky Way over the Athena Temple in Assos, a village in the Aegean seaside amid ancient ruins. Also known as Behramkale, it is located in Canakkale province of Turkey, close to the westernmost point of Asia. Assos was founded about 3000 years ago. The settlers built a Doric Temple to Athena on top of the crag in 530 BC. From this temple Hermias of Atarneus, a student of Plato, ruled Assos, when the city experienced its greatest prosperity. Aristotle also lived here and opened an Academy.

In the image, Saturn is the bright “star” at the upper right, near Virgo’s alpha star Spica. Click on the second photo to see another panoramic view of this scene, few minutes before the moonrise.