Monumental Gate to the Milky Way

Aphrodisias is an ancient city in the Caria cultural region of western Anatolia, Turkey, located near modern-day town of Karacasu. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This 360 panorama shows an all-sky view seen from near Tetrapylon, the monumental gate of the city. Milky Way comes into visibility over northeastern horizon, passes autumn constellations of Perseus, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Lacerta; then crosses directly overhead like a double lane highway of lights through the Summer Triangle. In the southwest, the setting summer Milky Way is replaced by the columns of Tetrapylon; but Saturn and Jupiter can still be seen through the structure.

Night lights oozing into the sky with different colours has become a distinct property of our civilised planet. Aphrodisias is affected by the lights of the museum at the entrance to the site and also lights of nearby towns, but the archaeological grounds are relatively protected of this light pollution thanks to the tree line around, delivering nice views of the night sky.