NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for October 13, 2026, features a composite image of the Atacama Desert in Chile.
Key facts
- •The featured image is a wide-angle composite captured in July 2025.
- •The scene is set in the Atacama Desert in Chile.
- •The photograph includes the Desert Staircase sculpture, the Licancabur volcano, and the Andes Mountains.
- •Astronomical features visible include the Milky Way, the Small Magellanic Cloud, and the star Spica.
- •The image also shows the town lights of San Pedro de Atacama.
The Astronomy Picture of the Day for October 13, 2026, highlights a composite image featuring the Desert Staircase sculpture in Chile's Atacama Desert. Captured in July 2025, the photograph aligns the sculpture with the Milky Way galaxy rising in the background.
Celestial and Terrestrial Features
The image captures several astronomical phenomena, including the Milky Way's dark lane, a band of zodiacal light, and green and red airglow near the horizon. The star Spica is visible within the zodiacal light, while the Small Magellanic Cloud galaxy appears at the top right of the frame. Foreground elements include the Andes Mountains, the Licancabur volcano, and the lights of the town of San Pedro de Atacama. The composition was specifically timed to position the sculpture in front of the near-vertical band of the Milky Way.
Advertisement
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by NASA Breaking News.
