Kamikochi by Night

A starry spring night of Lake Taisho in Kamikochi, Japan. Polaris (upper left), Cassiopeia (center), and a streaking light appear in the sky. It looks like a meteor but it is created by a satellite reflecting sunlight while rotating around itself. This is an Iridium Flare, created by one of the Iridium communication satellites. Click the second photo for a close-up view of the flare. Kamikōchi is a remote mountainous highland valley which has been preserved in its natural state within Chubu-Sangaku National Park. It is designated as one of Japan’s National Cultural Assets.