Santa Stargazer

Moonlight illuminates Alborz Mountains and the TWAN photographer in his Christmas custom. Bright winter stars approach the western horizon, where it is dominated by the light dome of Tehran metropolitan, some 60km away. The dazzling star at top left is in fact planet Mars near its brightest (opposition with the Earth). Below Mars, Procyon, the double bright stars of Gemini, and Capella (closer to the horizon) are visible. On the far right bright star Vega rise behind another sky photographer. Polaris is also visible right above the giant volcanic Mount Damavand. It is one of the most spectacular live volcanoes on the Earth at top altitude of 5610 meters. Damavand has been a legendary mountain in Persian culture. Oshin Zakarian/Dreamview.net