Milky Way over the Pinnacles in Australia

Explanation: What strange world is this? E a r t h . In the foreground of the featured image are the Pinnacles , unusual rock spires in Nambung National Park in Western Australia . Made of ancient sea shells ( limestone ), how these human-sized picturesque spires formed remains unknown. In the background, just past the end of the central Pinnacle, is a bright crescent Moon. The eerie glow around the Moon is mostly zodiacal light , sunlight reflected by dust grains orbiting between the planets in the Solar System . Arching across the top is the central band of our Milky Way Galaxy . Many famous stars and nebula are also visible in the background night sky. The featured 29-panel panorama was taken and composed last September after detailed planning that involved the Moon, the rock spires, and their corresponding shadow s. Even so, the strong zodiacal light was a pleasant surprise .

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