APOD: 2026 October 13 – Desert Stairway to Heaven
APOD Science APOD APOD: 2026 October 13 –… Today’s APOD Archive Submissions Index Search Calendar RSS Education About Discuss APOD Astronomy Picture of the Day Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. OriginalAnnotated Desert Stairway […]
Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day showcases a unique desert sculpture in Chile that offers a glimpse towards heaven. Titled "Desert Stairway to Heaven," this image captures the awe-inspiring scenery of Chile's Atacama Desert. The stairway, seemingly close to the heavens, draws attention to various celestial wonders surrounding it.
In the background, the Milky Way galaxy rises majestically, while zodiacal light illuminates the upper left corner of the image. Just above the horizon, airglow paints the sky in greens and reds, accompanied by the radiant star Spica residing within the zodiacal light stripe. The sculpture is situated in the foreground, providing a striking feature as the observer peers through the image.
The featured wide-angle composite was captured in July 2025, offering a picturesque view of the Andes Mountains, Licancabur volcano, and the town lights of San Pedro de Atacama, all visible along the horizon from left to right.
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- APOD: 2026 October 13 – Desert Stairway to Heaven science.nasa.gov
