Description

As seen on Astronomy Picture of the Day and National Geographic News, this heavenly view of the southern Milky Way arching in the sky is photographed from a remote island in the Pacific Ocean. On the left the brightest region in the band of Milky Way is the galactic central bulge toward the constellations Sagittarius and Scorpius. Bright stars of Alpha and Beta Centauri, the Southern Cross, and the Coalsack dark nebula appear in the right along the fading Milky Way band. This pacific paradise in the southern hemisphere is Mangaia, the most southerly of the Cook Islands. This volcanic remnant has the distinction of being the oldest island in the Pacific dating back to about 18 million years ago. As noted by the photographer “I traveled to this 10 km wide island with only 500 Polynesian residents because the total solar eclipse path of 11 July 2010 was passing over this location.”

This photo was a winner of Astrophotographer of the Year 2011 competition of Royal Museums Greenwich in Earth and Space category.

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comments (8)


  • Graça Almeida Reply

    Aaaaaaaaah!

    September 21, 2010 at 4:19 pm
  • Valient Reply

    This is quite possibly the most beautiful thing i’ve ever seen. It really makes me sad about the light pollution problem here in Houston. most nights we cant even see the stars..

    June 10, 2011 at 5:14 pm
  • Ned Reply

    Congratulations on the prize!

    September 9, 2011 at 10:39 pm
  • Trevor Byrne Reply

    Congrats on the win ! Really fantastic photo, your work is amazing.

    September 10, 2011 at 12:28 pm
  • Wolf Reply

    What an amazing shot. That must have taken a lot of passion to capture! Thank you!

    Though I do respect copyright and commercial intentions, I wish this would be available as a high resolution download for private use (like as a beautiful wallpaper, stretching across monitors). It’s just too good to be viewed only in this small version.

    September 10, 2011 at 12:35 pm
  • SILVIA Reply

    Just great!! Congratulations

    September 24, 2011 at 4:32 am
  • Randy Reply

    This is simply amazing and one of the most beautiful photographs ever. Thanks.

    September 24, 2011 at 9:05 am
  • Sevil Özatalar Reply

    I’m Proud Of Tunç Tezel As A Turk; It’s So Gorgeous View To Die For Like Many Others..Thanks & Congratulations..( I Wish I Were There..)

    May 21, 2013 at 12:59 am

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