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A dim aurora to the north at Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, at the Larson Ranch site and its rustic pioneer cabins. Taken August 8, 2016. This is looking northeast to Andromeda (the Andromeda Galaxy is above centre) and Perseus (the Double Cluster is left of centre). This Park is a Dark Sky Preserve. There are no lights visible. Illumination here is from starlight and the setting waxing crescent Moon to the southwest.

13897898 - A dim aurora to the north at Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, at the Larson Ranch site and its rustic pioneer cabins. Taken August 8, 2016. This is looking northeast to Andromeda (the Andromeda Galaxy is above centre) and Perseus (the Double Cluster is left of centre). This Park is a Dark Sky Preserve. There are no lights visible. Illumination here is from starlight and the setting waxing crescent Moon to the southwest.

The summer Milky Way over the sandstone formations at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park in southern Alberta, on a dark of the Moon night, July 31, 2016. The foreground is iluminated only by starlight. No artificial light painting was employed here. The Lagoon Nebula and objects in Sagittarius and Scutum are to the south here at centre.

13897842 - The summer Milky Way over the sandstone formations at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park in southern Alberta, on a dark of the Moon night, July 31, 2016. The foreground is iluminated only by starlight. No artificial light painting was employed here. The Lagoon Nebula and objects in Sagittarius and Scutum are to the south here at centre.

The area around the head of Scorpius, including the bright star Antares at lower left of centre and the dark lanes leading to the star Rho Ophiuchi. The area is filled with colourful nebulosity, including yellow and blue reflection nebulas and magenta emission nebulas. To the right of Antares is the globular cluster Messier 4. The field is similar to what binoculars would take in.

13897790 - The area around the head of Scorpius, including the bright star Antares at lower left of centre and the dark lanes leading to the star Rho Ophiuchi. The area is filled with colourful nebulosity, including yellow and blue reflection nebulas and magenta emission nebulas. To the right of Antares is the globular cluster Messier 4. The field is similar to what binoculars would take in.

A Park interpreter poses for a scene in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, of stargazing with binoculars under the Milky Way on a dark moonless night. Grasslands is perfect for stargazing as it is a Dark Sky Preserve and the horizon is vast and unobstructed.

13897744 - A Park interpreter poses for a scene in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, of stargazing with binoculars under the Milky Way on a dark moonless night. Grasslands is perfect for stargazing as it is a Dark Sky Preserve and the horizon is vast and unobstructed.

A panorama of a fairly bright display of noctilucent clouds to the northwest early in the evening on July 7, 2022. Even so, this was about 11:45 pm MDT. Capella is the bright star due north down the north-south range road at right. The bright NLCs contrast with the dark silhouettes of the closer and lower tropospheric clouds. A gibbous Moon lights the foreground.

13897743 - A panorama of a fairly bright display of noctilucent clouds to the northwest early in the evening on July 7, 2022. Even so, this was about 11:45 pm MDT. Capella is the bright star due north down the north-south range road at right. The bright NLCs contrast with the dark silhouettes of the closer and lower tropospheric clouds. A gibbous Moon lights the foreground.

13889198 - UK, Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway, Portpatrick, Lighthouse on shore and dark storm clouds

Yagim Mask at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA. Yagim Mask, 1920-25 Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Wood, paint. George Walkus (kwakwaka'wakw, ca 1875-1968). A furtive aggressive sea creature known as Yagim was part of the dramatic Tseyka performance cycle, which took place during the dark winter when life on the North West coast moves largely indoors

13845585 - Yagim Mask at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA. Yagim Mask, 1920-25 Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Wood, paint. George Walkus (kwakwaka'wakw, ca 1875-1968). A furtive aggressive sea creature known as Yagim was part of the dramatic Tseyka performance cycle, which took place during the dark winter when life on the North West coast moves largely indoors

13797515 - UK, Northern Ireland, County Antrim, Ballymoney, The Dark Hedges, tree-lined road at dawn

13797513 - UK, Northern Ireland, County Antrim, Ballymoney, The Dark Hedges, tree-lined road at dawn

71428778 - Detail of a Nutmeg in Dark Hands, near Saint George's, Saint George, Grenada, Caribbean

This is a roughly 150° panorama of the sunset sky at Sunset Point,Bryce Canyon,Utah,taken as the last light of the Sun was illuminating the distant buttes. The sky has subtle dark rays converging to the anti-solar point,the point opposite the Sun. These are anti-crepuscular rays – shadows cast by clouds in this case,such as the one at left.

13999638 - This is a roughly 150° panorama of the sunset sky at Sunset Point,Bryce Canyon,Utah,taken as the last light of the Sun was illuminating the distant buttes. The sky has subtle dark rays converging to the anti-solar point,the point opposite the Sun. These are anti-crepuscular rays – shadows cast by clouds in this case,such as the one at left.

This is a portrait of the complex of nebulosity in northern Cygnus,with many wreaths and arcs of hydrogen gas interspersed with patches and tendrils of dark dust of varying densities. The main nebula is the North America (NGC 7000) at upper left,with the smaller Pelican Nebula (IC 5067) beside it in the "Atlantic Ocean." At bottom right is the Gamma Cygni complex,aka the Butterfly Nebula or IC 1318,while at the bottom right edge is the small arc of the Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888). The field is filled with other fainter nebulas catalogued in the Sharpless and DWB catalogues. Above Gamma Cygni ri

13999246 - This is a portrait of the complex of nebulosity in northern Cygnus,with many wreaths and arcs of hydrogen gas interspersed with patches and tendrils of dark dust of varying densities. The main nebula is the North America (NGC 7000) at upper left,with the smaller Pelican Nebula (IC 5067) beside it in the "Atlantic Ocean." At bottom right is the Gamma Cygni complex,aka the Butterfly Nebula or IC 1318,while at the bottom right edge is the small arc of the Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888). The field is filled with other fainter nebulas catalogued in the Sharpless and DWB catalogues. Above Gamma Cygni ri

This is the complex of nebulosity around the star Gamma Cygni,aka Sadr,in central Cygnus,and labeled IC1318 or the Butterfly Nebula. The star cluster NGC 6910 is at top centre. The dark dust lane cutting through the nebula is catalogued as Lynds Dark Nebula 889.

13999028 - This is the complex of nebulosity around the star Gamma Cygni,aka Sadr,in central Cygnus,and labeled IC1318 or the Butterfly Nebula. The star cluster NGC 6910 is at top centre. The dark dust lane cutting through the nebula is catalogued as Lynds Dark Nebula 889.

This is a panorama along about 60° of the northern summer Milky Way from Cepheus at left,to Cygnus at centre and at right. It frames the great variety of bright and dark nebulas in this region of the sky,notably:

13998987 - This is a panorama along about 60° of the northern summer Milky Way from Cepheus at left,to Cygnus at centre and at right. It frames the great variety of bright and dark nebulas in this region of the sky,notably:

This frames the region of northern Cygnus containing the bright emission nebulas,the North America and Pelican Nebulas,at bottom,and the dark nebula called LeGentil 3 or the Funnel Cloud Nebula at top,for its tornado-like shape. The latter is one of the darkest areas of the northern Milky Way,similar to the Coal Sack in the southern sky. The bright star at bottom right is Deneb. The small patch of emission nebulosity to the right of Deneb is Sharpless 2-112. Above it is Sh2-115. The large nebula at bottom left is the Clamshell Nebula or Sharpless 2-119. The curving nebula below the Pelican Neb

13998868 - This frames the region of northern Cygnus containing the bright emission nebulas,the North America and Pelican Nebulas,at bottom,and the dark nebula called LeGentil 3 or the Funnel Cloud Nebula at top,for its tornado-like shape. The latter is one of the darkest areas of the northern Milky Way,similar to the Coal Sack in the southern sky. The bright star at bottom right is Deneb. The small patch of emission nebulosity to the right of Deneb is Sharpless 2-112. Above it is Sh2-115. The large nebula at bottom left is the Clamshell Nebula or Sharpless 2-119. The curving nebula below the Pelican Neb

This is a framing of the Scutum Starcloud in the Milky Way,with the bright and rich Wild Duck Cluster,aka Messier 11,embedded in the Starcloud at upper left. The smaller open star cluster M26 is at bottom centre; while the globular cluster NGC 6712 is at lower left,with the small green planetary nebula IC 1295 visible beside it to the left. The area is a study in contrasts between the rich starclouds of the Milky Way and the dark lanes of interstellar dust. The most prominent and densest of those is at upper right,Barnard 103. At top is B110. The general regime of interstellar dust in the regi

13998706 - This is a framing of the Scutum Starcloud in the Milky Way,with the bright and rich Wild Duck Cluster,aka Messier 11,embedded in the Starcloud at upper left. The smaller open star cluster M26 is at bottom centre; while the globular cluster NGC 6712 is at lower left,with the small green planetary nebula IC 1295 visible beside it to the left. The area is a study in contrasts between the rich starclouds of the Milky Way and the dark lanes of interstellar dust. The most prominent and densest of those is at upper right,Barnard 103. At top is B110. The general regime of interstellar dust in the regi

The waxing gibbous Moon above the blue shadow of the Earth and pink Belt of Venus band, with dark blue crepuscular rays converging on the anti-solar point in the east, at sunset, from the badlands of Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta. Part of a 450-frame time-lapse sequence, taken with the Canon 5D MkII and 24mm lens on the Radian motion controller.

13900366 - The waxing gibbous Moon above the blue shadow of the Earth and pink Belt of Venus band, with dark blue crepuscular rays converging on the anti-solar point in the east, at sunset, from the badlands of Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta. Part of a 450-frame time-lapse sequence, taken with the Canon 5D MkII and 24mm lens on the Radian motion controller.

A mosaic of the rich region in Sagittarius and southern Serpens, from the Small Sagittarius Starcloud (Messier 24) at bottom to Messier 16, the Eagle Nebula, at top, with a fainter nebula above it around the cluster NGC 6604. At centre is the Swan or Omega Nebula, Messier 17. The dark nebula below centre is Barnard 92.

13900277 - A mosaic of the rich region in Sagittarius and southern Serpens, from the Small Sagittarius Starcloud (Messier 24) at bottom to Messier 16, the Eagle Nebula, at top, with a fainter nebula above it around the cluster NGC 6604. At centre is the Swan or Omega Nebula, Messier 17. The dark nebula below centre is Barnard 92.

A wide-angle view of the Northern Hemisphere autumn Milky, from Aquila at bottom right in thw south, to Cassiopeia and Perseus at upper left in the northeast. Cygnus is at centre overhead on a late October evening. The Summer Triangle stars are at centre and right; the Andromeda Galaxy and Triangulum galaxies are at bottom left. The dark nebula Le Gentil 3, aka the Funnel Nebula, is at centre.

13900189 - A wide-angle view of the Northern Hemisphere autumn Milky, from Aquila at bottom right in thw south, to Cassiopeia and Perseus at upper left in the northeast. Cygnus is at centre overhead on a late October evening. The Summer Triangle stars are at centre and right; the Andromeda Galaxy and Triangulum galaxies are at bottom left. The dark nebula Le Gentil 3, aka the Funnel Nebula, is at centre.

A bright double rainbow over a ripening canola field, from home in Alberta. This shows the reversal of colours in the outer fainter bow, and rhe Dark Band between the bows, and bright sky inside the inner bow.

13900007 - A bright double rainbow over a ripening canola field, from home in Alberta. This shows the reversal of colours in the outer fainter bow, and rhe Dark Band between the bows, and bright sky inside the inner bow.

A vertical panorama of the summer Milky Way over the observing field at the Saskatchewan Summer Star Party, held in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park in southwest Saskatchewan, Canada, at a latitude 49° N. The Park is a Dark Sky Preserve. This was August 26, 2022 on a perfect night of stargazing under very clear skies. The Milky Way extends from Sagittarius near the horizon, to Cygnus nearly overhead at this time, so a vertical sweep of 90°. I've left the satellite trails in for this scene.

13899639 - A vertical panorama of the summer Milky Way over the observing field at the Saskatchewan Summer Star Party, held in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park in southwest Saskatchewan, Canada, at a latitude 49° N. The Park is a Dark Sky Preserve. This was August 26, 2022 on a perfect night of stargazing under very clear skies. The Milky Way extends from Sagittarius near the horizon, to Cygnus nearly overhead at this time, so a vertical sweep of 90°. I've left the satellite trails in for this scene.

The Full Moon rises in partial eclipse over the sandstone formations of Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park in southern Alberta, on the evening of September 27, 2015. This was the night of a total lunar eclipse, which was in progress in its initial partial phase as the Moon rose this night. The blue band on the horizon containing the Moon is the shadow of Earth on our atmosphere, while the dark bite taken out of the lunar disk is the shadow of Earth on the Moon. The pink band above is the Belt of Venus.

13899581 - The Full Moon rises in partial eclipse over the sandstone formations of Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park in southern Alberta, on the evening of September 27, 2015. This was the night of a total lunar eclipse, which was in progress in its initial partial phase as the Moon rose this night. The blue band on the horizon containing the Moon is the shadow of Earth on our atmosphere, while the dark bite taken out of the lunar disk is the shadow of Earth on the Moon. The pink band above is the Belt of Venus.

Mars (at top) and Saturn (at left) in Scorpius (or thereabouts - Saturn is technically in Ophiuchus) above Antares and the dark and reflection nebulas around Antares. The globular M4 is visible to the right of Antares.

13899381 - Mars (at top) and Saturn (at left) in Scorpius (or thereabouts - Saturn is technically in Ophiuchus) above Antares and the dark and reflection nebulas around Antares. The globular M4 is visible to the right of Antares.

Comet Lovejoy, C/2014 Q2 amid the clusters, nebulas and dark dust clouds of Taurus and Perseus, on Friday, January 16, 2016. Its long blue ion tail stretches back at least 15°, almost to the open cluster NGC 1647 on Taurus at the left edge. At centre is the Pleiades star cluster, M45; at top right is the red California Nebula, NGC 1499, in Perseus, while the field is filled with the dark dusty lanes of the Taurus Dark Clouds. At left is the red giant star Aldebaran amid the V-shaped Hyades star cluster.

13899076 - Comet Lovejoy, C/2014 Q2 amid the clusters, nebulas and dark dust clouds of Taurus and Perseus, on Friday, January 16, 2016. Its long blue ion tail stretches back at least 15°, almost to the open cluster NGC 1647 on Taurus at the left edge. At centre is the Pleiades star cluster, M45; at top right is the red California Nebula, NGC 1499, in Perseus, while the field is filled with the dark dusty lanes of the Taurus Dark Clouds. At left is the red giant star Aldebaran amid the V-shaped Hyades star cluster.

The summer Milky Way overhead and through the Summer Triangle stars in July, looking up through trees in Banff National Park at Herbert Lake. Deneb is at top left, Vega at top right, and Altair is at bottom. The bright Cygnus star cloud is obvious. As are the dark lanes in the Milky Way.

13898860 - The summer Milky Way overhead and through the Summer Triangle stars in July, looking up through trees in Banff National Park at Herbert Lake. Deneb is at top left, Vega at top right, and Altair is at bottom. The bright Cygnus star cloud is obvious. As are the dark lanes in the Milky Way.

A framing of the Milky Way in Sagitta and Vulpecula below Cygnus. The stars of Sagitta the Arrow are at lower left. The distinctive asterism, the Coathanger, is at lower right embedded in the dark lanes of the Milky Way. It is also called Collinder 399 and Brocchi's Cluster. The green Dumbbell Nebula, M27, is just left of centre. The star Albireo is at top. Faint nebulosity inhabits the area, such as NGC 6820 left of the Coathanger, but as this was shot with an unmodified camera the red nebulas don't show up well here.

13898365 - A framing of the Milky Way in Sagitta and Vulpecula below Cygnus. The stars of Sagitta the Arrow are at lower left. The distinctive asterism, the Coathanger, is at lower right embedded in the dark lanes of the Milky Way. It is also called Collinder 399 and Brocchi's Cluster. The green Dumbbell Nebula, M27, is just left of centre. The star Albireo is at top. Faint nebulosity inhabits the area, such as NGC 6820 left of the Coathanger, but as this was shot with an unmodified camera the red nebulas don't show up well here.

The centre of the galaxy area of the Milky Way toward Sagittarius and Scorpius, with the Sagittarius Starcloud right of centre, and the Lagoon Nebula (M8) left of centre. The Cat's Paw Nebula (NGC 6334) in Scorpius is at upper right, the Swan Nebula (M17) and Eagle Nebula (M16) are at lower left. To the right of them is the Small Sagittarius Starcloud (M24). At the very top is the Snake Nebula (B72). The main mass of dark nebula is the Pipe Nebula (B78). Above M24 at left is the open cluster M23 while below the M24 star cloud is the cluster M25. The globular M22 is at the bottom edge. At right

13898332 - The centre of the galaxy area of the Milky Way toward Sagittarius and Scorpius, with the Sagittarius Starcloud right of centre, and the Lagoon Nebula (M8) left of centre. The Cat's Paw Nebula (NGC 6334) in Scorpius is at upper right, the Swan Nebula (M17) and Eagle Nebula (M16) are at lower left. To the right of them is the Small Sagittarius Starcloud (M24). At the very top is the Snake Nebula (B72). The main mass of dark nebula is the Pipe Nebula (B78). Above M24 at left is the open cluster M23 while below the M24 star cloud is the cluster M25. The globular M22 is at the bottom edge. At right

$The Full Moon rising on December 22, 2018, the day after the winter solstice, in a perfectly clear sky and over the distant horizon to the northeast over the snow-covered prairie. Some cows are grazing at left! The top edge of the Moon has a green rim and the bottom edge a red rim, from atmospheric refraction. But it made for a Christmas-coloured Moon ornament on the horizon! The dark lunar mare and even the bright rays splashing from Tycho at bottom are visible.$

13898326 - The Full Moon rising on December 22, 2018, the day after the winter solstice, in a perfectly clear sky and over the distant horizon to the northeast over the snow-covered prairie. Some cows are grazing at left! The top edge of the Moon has a green rim and the bottom edge a red rim, from atmospheric refraction. But it made for a Christmas-coloured Moon ornament on the horizon! The dark lunar mare and even the bright rays splashing from Tycho at bottom are visible.

The Belt of Orion with the Horsehead Nebula at botton, the dark nebula set in the bright emission nebula IC 434. The nebula at left of the Zeta Orionis (aka Alnitak) is the Flame Nebula, NGC 2024. The reflection nebula at upper left is the M78 complex with NGC 2071. The other Belt stars are Alnilan (centre) and Mintaka (upper right). The field contains a wealth of other blue reflection and red emission nebulas.

13897998 - The Belt of Orion with the Horsehead Nebula at botton, the dark nebula set in the bright emission nebula IC 434. The nebula at left of the Zeta Orionis (aka Alnitak) is the Flame Nebula, NGC 2024. The reflection nebula at upper left is the M78 complex with NGC 2071. The other Belt stars are Alnilan (centre) and Mintaka (upper right). The field contains a wealth of other blue reflection and red emission nebulas.

The Dark Emu of aboriginal sky lore rising out of the Tasman Sea, from the south cost of Victoria, Australia. From Cape Conran on the Gippsland Coast. Carina is just above centre, Crux, the Southern Cross is at centre, and Centaurus is below Crux. The False Cross is at top.

13897737 - The Dark Emu of aboriginal sky lore rising out of the Tasman Sea, from the south cost of Victoria, Australia. From Cape Conran on the Gippsland Coast. Carina is just above centre, Crux, the Southern Cross is at centre, and Centaurus is below Crux. The False Cross is at top.

13837002 - Dark grey mist over an ice cap. Wahlenberg fjord, Nordaustlandet, Svalbard, Norway

13836256 - Dark clouds over the savanna at sunset. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.

13829467 - Common Starfish (Asterias rubens) on dark kelp with the sun penetrating phytoplankton rich green water. Loch Etive, Scotland.

13797514 - UK, Northern Ireland, County Antrim, Ballymoney, The Dark Hedges, tree-lined road at dawn

A widefield view of Orion's Belt and Sword showing the complex of nebulosity in the area. The three Belt stars are at top (L to R): Alnitak,Alnilam and Mintaka,with the dark Horsehead Nebula (B33) below Alnitak. Above Alnitak is the pinkish Flame Nebula,NGC 2024. At bottom are Messiers 42 and 43,making up the Orion Nebula,with the bluish Running Man Nebula above it,aka NGC 1973-5-7. Above it is the star cluster NGC 1981. Messier 78 is just on frame at upper left. Numerous other bits of emission and reflection nebulas populate the field amid a backdrop of faint emission nebulosity. The stars ar

13998672 - A widefield view of Orion's Belt and Sword showing the complex of nebulosity in the area. The three Belt stars are at top (L to R): Alnitak,Alnilam and Mintaka,with the dark Horsehead Nebula (B33) below Alnitak. Above Alnitak is the pinkish Flame Nebula,NGC 2024. At bottom are Messiers 42 and 43,making up the Orion Nebula,with the bluish Running Man Nebula above it,aka NGC 1973-5-7. Above it is the star cluster NGC 1981. Messier 78 is just on frame at upper left. Numerous other bits of emission and reflection nebulas populate the field amid a backdrop of faint emission nebulosity. The stars ar

Mars,the bright orange object right of centre,is here amid the stars and constellations of the winter Milky Way in January 2023. Mars is in Taurus,above Aldebaran and the Hyades,and below the blue Pleiades. The stars of Auriga are at left. At top are stars in Perseus,including the reddish California Nebula. The interstellar Dark Clouds of Taurus are at centre.

13998632 - Mars,the bright orange object right of centre,is here amid the stars and constellations of the winter Milky Way in January 2023. Mars is in Taurus,above Aldebaran and the Hyades,and below the blue Pleiades. The stars of Auriga are at left. At top are stars in Perseus,including the reddish California Nebula. The interstellar Dark Clouds of Taurus are at centre.

A panorama of the summer Milky Way from Sagittarius up to Cepheus,over the Southern Alberta Star Party,September 13,2023. The star party is held at a church camp near Elkwater,Alberta in the Cypress Hills. The sky is very dark there! About 80 people attended this year. Most are looking after their astrophoto rigs. The camp has a number of cabins for accommodation and a main service building at centre here.

13998616 - A panorama of the summer Milky Way from Sagittarius up to Cepheus,over the Southern Alberta Star Party,September 13,2023. The star party is held at a church camp near Elkwater,Alberta in the Cypress Hills. The sky is very dark there! About 80 people attended this year. Most are looking after their astrophoto rigs. The camp has a number of cabins for accommodation and a main service building at centre here.

$The conjunction of the waxing 4-day-old crescent Moon below the Pleiades,and set in a slightly hazy sky on March 25,2023. The haze adds the colourful "lunar corona" halo around the bright crescent of the Moon from diffraction effects in the high icy clouds. Shot before the sky got dark,the remaining twilight adds the blue to the background sky. Earthshine is visible on the dark side of the Moon.$

13998604 - The conjunction of the waxing 4-day-old crescent Moon below the Pleiades,and set in a slightly hazy sky on March 25,2023. The haze adds the colourful "lunar corona" halo around the bright crescent of the Moon from diffraction effects in the high icy clouds. Shot before the sky got dark,the remaining twilight adds the blue to the background sky. Earthshine is visible on the dark side of the Moon.

A framing of the northern winter sky constellations of Gemini (left),Auriga (top) and Taurus (bottom right). The Messier star clusters M35 in Gemini,and the trio of M36,M37 and M38 in Auriga show up well. The large nebula at upper right is NGC 1499,the California Nebula in Perseus. The Flaming Star,IC 405,and other IC nebulas in Auriga are right of centre. The small round nebula at bottom is IC 2174 in northern Orion. The dark lanes of the Taurus Dark Molecular Clouds are right of centre. Mars is just below centre in Taurus,adding an extra star to this already rich area of sky and matching Ald

13998490 - A framing of the northern winter sky constellations of Gemini (left),Auriga (top) and Taurus (bottom right). The Messier star clusters M35 in Gemini,and the trio of M36,M37 and M38 in Auriga show up well. The large nebula at upper right is NGC 1499,the California Nebula in Perseus. The Flaming Star,IC 405,and other IC nebulas in Auriga are right of centre. The small round nebula at bottom is IC 2174 in northern Orion. The dark lanes of the Taurus Dark Molecular Clouds are right of centre. Mars is just below centre in Taurus,adding an extra star to this already rich area of sky and matching Ald

The rising Full Moon of January 6,2023 over the Badlands of Horseshoe Canyon,near Drumheller,Alberta. Here the Moon is set a dark blue crepuscular ray (or more correctly,anti-crepuscular ray) converging on the point directly opposite the Sun. The ray was a shadow cast by clouds in the west,which parted enough for a few moments for the setting Sun to light the foreground,making for a colourful contrast between ground and sky.

13998445 - The rising Full Moon of January 6,2023 over the Badlands of Horseshoe Canyon,near Drumheller,Alberta. Here the Moon is set a dark blue crepuscular ray (or more correctly,anti-crepuscular ray) converging on the point directly opposite the Sun. The ray was a shadow cast by clouds in the west,which parted enough for a few moments for the setting Sun to light the foreground,making for a colourful contrast between ground and sky.

This is a composite of the October 14,2023 annular solar eclipse at second contact. It illustrates the irregular edge of the Moon breaking up the rim of sunlight as the dark disk of the Moon became tangent to the inner edge of the Sun at second contact at the start of annularity. This is a blend of fifteen exposures taken over 20 seconds at second contact.

13998429 - This is a composite of the October 14,2023 annular solar eclipse at second contact. It illustrates the irregular edge of the Moon breaking up the rim of sunlight as the dark disk of the Moon became tangent to the inner edge of the Sun at second contact at the start of annularity. This is a blend of fifteen exposures taken over 20 seconds at second contact.

$The image presents Ophrydium sp. ( a kind of colonial ciliates), photographed through the microscope in polarized light and dark field at a magnification of 100X\n$

13925361 - The image presents Ophrydium sp. ( a kind of colonial ciliates), photographed through the microscope in polarized light and dark field at a magnification of 100X\n

$The image presents senecio tissues in the transversal cross-section through the stalk, photographed through the microscope in polarized light and dark field at a magnification of 100X\n$

13924921 - The image presents senecio tissues in the transversal cross-section through the stalk, photographed through the microscope in polarized light and dark field at a magnification of 100X\n

A 360° panorama of the Saskatchewan Summer Star Party, August 4, 2016, at the Meadows Campground in Cypress Hills Inter-Provincial Park, south of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan. The Park is a Dark Sky Preserve and is home to the annual star party that attracts about 300 people and telescopes each summer.

13900603 - A 360° panorama of the Saskatchewan Summer Star Party, August 4, 2016, at the Meadows Campground in Cypress Hills Inter-Provincial Park, south of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan. The Park is a Dark Sky Preserve and is home to the annual star party that attracts about 300 people and telescopes each summer.

This is the nebula rich region in the constellation of Monoceros the Unicorn with the dark Cone Nebula (left of centre) and the small V-shaped and bright Hubble’s Variable Nebula at bottom, a reflection nebula that varies in form and brightness. Above the Cone Nebula is the triangular Christmas Tree Cluster, NGC 2264, here upside down as the bright blue star 15 Mon is the base of the tree. The large region of nebulosity is Sharpless 2-273. The V-shaped dark nebula above centre is LDN 1603.

13900592 - This is the nebula rich region in the constellation of Monoceros the Unicorn with the dark Cone Nebula (left of centre) and the small V-shaped and bright Hubble’s Variable Nebula at bottom, a reflection nebula that varies in form and brightness. Above the Cone Nebula is the triangular Christmas Tree Cluster, NGC 2264, here upside down as the bright blue star 15 Mon is the base of the tree. The large region of nebulosity is Sharpless 2-273. The V-shaped dark nebula above centre is LDN 1603.

A framing of the Milky Way from Altair in Aquila at bottom up to Albireo in Cygnus at top. The prominent dark nebulas B142 and B143, aka Barnard's E, are right of yellowish Tarazed above Altair. The constellation of Sagitta the Arrow is at centre, and to the right of Sagitta in the dark dust lanes is the Coathanger asterism, aka Collinder 399. Above Sagitta is the green disk of the Dumbbell Nebula, Messier 27, in Vulpecula the Fox. Above it, at upper left is the star cluster NGC 6885. And as a bonus, one of the stars in Sagitta is actually the globular cluster Messier 71.

13900344 - A framing of the Milky Way from Altair in Aquila at bottom up to Albireo in Cygnus at top. The prominent dark nebulas B142 and B143, aka Barnard's E, are right of yellowish Tarazed above Altair. The constellation of Sagitta the Arrow is at centre, and to the right of Sagitta in the dark dust lanes is the Coathanger asterism, aka Collinder 399. Above Sagitta is the green disk of the Dumbbell Nebula, Messier 27, in Vulpecula the Fox. Above it, at upper left is the star cluster NGC 6885. And as a bonus, one of the stars in Sagitta is actually the globular cluster Messier 71.

Sunset clouds and colours on December 3, 2013 from Massai Point, Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona. This is a 7-frame HDR High Dynamic Range stack to compress the high contrast from the bright sky and dark foreground into one image. Combined with Photomatix Pro. Taken with the Canon 5D MkIi and Canon 24mm lens at f/8. From images _MG_6996_6997_6998_6999_7000_7001_7002 taken at 2/3rd stop increments.

13900310 - Sunset clouds and colours on December 3, 2013 from Massai Point, Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona. This is a 7-frame HDR High Dynamic Range stack to compress the high contrast from the bright sky and dark foreground into one image. Combined with Photomatix Pro. Taken with the Canon 5D MkIi and Canon 24mm lens at f/8. From images _MG_6996_6997_6998_6999_7000_7001_7002 taken at 2/3rd stop increments.

The Milky Way through the Perseus to Auriga area, populated by clusters and nebulas of the next spiral arm out from ours, in the Perseus Arm. The Double Cluster is at right, with the Heart and Soul Nebulas above it, while the Auriga clusters and nebulas are at left. At bottom is the California Nebula and Messier 34 cluster. The Perseus OB Association of hot blue stars is at centre. Capella is the bright star at upper left. The Taurus Dark Clouds are at lower left.

13900200 - The Milky Way through the Perseus to Auriga area, populated by clusters and nebulas of the next spiral arm out from ours, in the Perseus Arm. The Double Cluster is at right, with the Heart and Soul Nebulas above it, while the Auriga clusters and nebulas are at left. At bottom is the California Nebula and Messier 34 cluster. The Perseus OB Association of hot blue stars is at centre. Capella is the bright star at upper left. The Taurus Dark Clouds are at lower left.

IC 1396, a large faint nebula in Cepheus, sometimes called the Elephant Trunk Nebula, though the actual “Elephant Trunk” feature is the dark protuberance just right of centre called van den Burgh 142 (vdB 142). Also in the frame at top (north) is the red star Mu Cephei, aka the Garnet Star.

13900190 - IC 1396, a large faint nebula in Cepheus, sometimes called the Elephant Trunk Nebula, though the actual “Elephant Trunk” feature is the dark protuberance just right of centre called van den Burgh 142 (vdB 142). Also in the frame at top (north) is the red star Mu Cephei, aka the Garnet Star.

This is the Belt of Orion with its three blue stars across the top of the frame (L to R: Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka), with the iconic Horsehead Nebula (aka B33) below Alnitak, with the dark Horsehead set against the bright nebula IC 434, aka Orion’s Dagger. The pinkish nebula above Alnitak is NGC 2024, the Flame Nebula. The small blue reflection nebula left of the Horsehead is NGC 2023, with smaller IC 435 to the left of it. The field is filled with the large open cluster Collinder 70. The multiple star at bottom left of centre is Sigma Orionis. Many other smaller bits of reflection nebulas

13900139 - This is the Belt of Orion with its three blue stars across the top of the frame (L to R: Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka), with the iconic Horsehead Nebula (aka B33) below Alnitak, with the dark Horsehead set against the bright nebula IC 434, aka Orion’s Dagger. The pinkish nebula above Alnitak is NGC 2024, the Flame Nebula. The small blue reflection nebula left of the Horsehead is NGC 2023, with smaller IC 435 to the left of it. The field is filled with the large open cluster Collinder 70. The multiple star at bottom left of centre is Sigma Orionis. Many other smaller bits of reflection nebulas

A photographer using a bright light to illuminate Double Arch in Arches National Park, Utah, on a dark night before moonrise provided natural illumination. Using bright lights to paint landscapes at night is common but often produces an artificial style of illumination.

13900125 - A photographer using a bright light to illuminate Double Arch in Arches National Park, Utah, on a dark night before moonrise provided natural illumination. Using bright lights to paint landscapes at night is common but often produces an artificial style of illumination.

The large emission nebula IC 1396 in Cepheus with the orange “Garnet Star” at top, and the Elephant Trunk Nebula, van den Bergh 142, at bottom as a dark lane protruding into the emission nebula.

13899543 - The large emission nebula IC 1396 in Cepheus with the orange “Garnet Star” at top, and the Elephant Trunk Nebula, van den Bergh 142, at bottom as a dark lane protruding into the emission nebula.

This is a portrait of the southern region of Cepheus the King that takes in the red emission nebulas in the constellation. The area is also laced with dark lanes of dust.

13899241 - This is a portrait of the southern region of Cepheus the King that takes in the red emission nebulas in the constellation. The area is also laced with dark lanes of dust.

The waxing crescent Moon setting over a nearby farm, on June 26, 2017. Shot at the start of a time-lapse sequence, and shot in haste from home as the Moon appeared from beneath an otherwise very cloudy sky. The dark side of the Moon is lit by Earthshine, prominent despite the Moon’s low altitude and bright twilight sky.

13898856 - The waxing crescent Moon setting over a nearby farm, on June 26, 2017. Shot at the start of a time-lapse sequence, and shot in haste from home as the Moon appeared from beneath an otherwise very cloudy sky. The dark side of the Moon is lit by Earthshine, prominent despite the Moon’s low altitude and bright twilight sky.

Mars (bottom) and Saturn in conjunction at right, and the Milky Way at left, in deep blue twilight before the sky got filly dark, over the old corral of the 76 Ranch, in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, August 27/28, 2014. Antares and Scorpius are just behind the corral gate at right, Sagittarius is at left in the Milky Way. M6 and M7 open cluster are visible at left.

13898781 - Mars (bottom) and Saturn in conjunction at right, and the Milky Way at left, in deep blue twilight before the sky got filly dark, over the old corral of the 76 Ranch, in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, August 27/28, 2014. Antares and Scorpius are just behind the corral gate at right, Sagittarius is at left in the Milky Way. M6 and M7 open cluster are visible at left.

The waxing 3-day-old crescent Moon in the evening sky over Red Rock Coulee Natural Area in southeast Alberta. The Sun has set at the point on the horizon at far right, at the edge of the dark cloud of forest fire smoke.

13898729 - The waxing 3-day-old crescent Moon in the evening sky over Red Rock Coulee Natural Area in southeast Alberta. The Sun has set at the point on the horizon at far right, at the edge of the dark cloud of forest fire smoke.

An observer gazes skyward with his Dobsonian reflector telescope at the Saskatchewan Summer Star Party on August 9, 2018, in the Cypress Hills of southwest Saskatchewan, at the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, a Dark Sky Preserve. The Milky Way shines to the south. Smoke in the sky obscures the horizon somewhat.

13898570 - An observer gazes skyward with his Dobsonian reflector telescope at the Saskatchewan Summer Star Party on August 9, 2018, in the Cypress Hills of southwest Saskatchewan, at the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, a Dark Sky Preserve. The Milky Way shines to the south. Smoke in the sky obscures the horizon somewhat.

A mosaic of the region around the Small Sagittarius Starcloud and Dark Horse dark nebula complex. The field takes in the Milky Way from the Lagoon Nebula at bottom to the Eagle Nebula at top left. In between from top to bottom are the Swan Nebula (M17), and the Small Sagittarius Starcloud (M24). Flanking the bright M24 starcloud are the large open clusters M23 (right) and M25 (left). At bottom left is the M22 globular star cluster. The prominent dark nebula at right is the large Pipe Nebula (B78) with the small Snake Nebula (B72) above it. The whole complex is visible to the naked eye as the D

13898305 - A mosaic of the region around the Small Sagittarius Starcloud and Dark Horse dark nebula complex. The field takes in the Milky Way from the Lagoon Nebula at bottom to the Eagle Nebula at top left. In between from top to bottom are the Swan Nebula (M17), and the Small Sagittarius Starcloud (M24). Flanking the bright M24 starcloud are the large open clusters M23 (right) and M25 (left). At bottom left is the M22 globular star cluster. The prominent dark nebula at right is the large Pipe Nebula (B78) with the small Snake Nebula (B72) above it. The whole complex is visible to the naked eye as the D

The Big Dipper and Arcturus over a treed nightscape in the Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan. Taken during the annual Saskatchewan Summer Star Party in late August 2022. The Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is a Dark Sky Preserve.

13897903 - The Big Dipper and Arcturus over a treed nightscape in the Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan. Taken during the annual Saskatchewan Summer Star Party in late August 2022. The Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is a Dark Sky Preserve.

A nightscape photographer from one of my workshops, shooting in the moonlight at Red Rock Canyon, in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta. Clouds partly obscure the gibbous Moon but add a colourful iridescent corona around the Moon, which is reflected in the Red Rock Canyon Creek. This is an HDR stack of 5 exposures with the 14mm lens and Canon 6D, to preserve detail in the bright clouds and the disk of the Moon, and in the dark shadows.

13897887 - A nightscape photographer from one of my workshops, shooting in the moonlight at Red Rock Canyon, in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta. Clouds partly obscure the gibbous Moon but add a colourful iridescent corona around the Moon, which is reflected in the Red Rock Canyon Creek. This is an HDR stack of 5 exposures with the 14mm lens and Canon 6D, to preserve detail in the bright clouds and the disk of the Moon, and in the dark shadows.

This is a portrait of Cassiopeia the Queen that takes in the red emission nebulas in the constellation as well as recording some of the larger star clusters. The area is also laced with dark lanes of dust.

13897883 - This is a portrait of Cassiopeia the Queen that takes in the red emission nebulas in the constellation as well as recording some of the larger star clusters. The area is also laced with dark lanes of dust.

The Milky Way over the distant Prince of Wales Hotel from Driftwood Beach, in Waterton Lakes National Park, September 24, 2016. Being at the end of the season, the hotel is closed and dark. The bright star at centre is Altair in Aquila.

13897825 - The Milky Way over the distant Prince of Wales Hotel from Driftwood Beach, in Waterton Lakes National Park, September 24, 2016. Being at the end of the season, the hotel is closed and dark. The bright star at centre is Altair in Aquila.

The waxing 3-day-old Moon in twilight with Earthshine on the dark side of the Moon. Note the “Baily’s Beads” of bright peaks catching the morning sunlight around the lunar south pole.

13897529 - The waxing 3-day-old Moon in twilight with Earthshine on the dark side of the Moon. Note the “Baily’s Beads” of bright peaks catching the morning sunlight around the lunar south pole.

A mosaic of the region around the centre of the Milky Way in Sagittarius and Scorpius. The field takes in the Milky Way from the Cat's Paw Nebula at bottom edge to the Eagle Nebula at top left. In between from top to bottom are the Swan Nebula (M17), the Small Sagittarius Starcloud (M24), the Trifid and Lagoon Nebulas (M20 and M8) and the open clusters M6 and M7. The prominent dark nebula at right is the large Pipe Nebula (B78) with the small Snake Nebula (B72) above it. The whole complex is visible to the naked eye as the Dark Horse.

13897448 - A mosaic of the region around the centre of the Milky Way in Sagittarius and Scorpius. The field takes in the Milky Way from the Cat's Paw Nebula at bottom edge to the Eagle Nebula at top left. In between from top to bottom are the Swan Nebula (M17), the Small Sagittarius Starcloud (M24), the Trifid and Lagoon Nebulas (M20 and M8) and the open clusters M6 and M7. The prominent dark nebula at right is the large Pipe Nebula (B78) with the small Snake Nebula (B72) above it. The whole complex is visible to the naked eye as the Dark Horse.

13811209 - USA, Hawaii, Big Island of Hawaii. Kohanaiki Beach Park, Blurring of wave movement from long time exposure and dark, volcanic rocks.

This is the field containing the bright,large,but sparse star cluster Messier 39 in Cygnus,at lower left,amid a rich starfield laced with dark dust. The elongated dark nebula Barnard 363 is at centre. The patch at top os B362.

13999232 - This is the field containing the bright,large,but sparse star cluster Messier 39 in Cygnus,at lower left,amid a rich starfield laced with dark dust. The elongated dark nebula Barnard 363 is at centre. The patch at top os B362.

A sunset in smoky skies from home in Alberta,July 18,2023,with a yellow canola field and irrigation boom in the foregroumd. The Sun has several dark sunspots on its disk.

13999006 - A sunset in smoky skies from home in Alberta,July 18,2023,with a yellow canola field and irrigation boom in the foregroumd. The Sun has several dark sunspots on its disk.

$The image presents nettle tissues in the stalk in transversall cross-section, photographed through the microscope in polarized light and dark field at a magnification of 100X.\n$

13925345 - The image presents nettle tissues in the stalk in transversall cross-section, photographed through the microscope in polarized light and dark field at a magnification of 100X.\n

The amazing area of the southern Milky Way in Carina and Crux, the brightest part of the Milky Way after the galactic core region. At right is the Carina Nebula, with the Southern Pleiades cluster, IC 2602, below it. The Football Cluster, NGC 3532, is at upper left of the Carina Nebula. At centre is the region of Lambda Centauri, with the star cluster NGC 3766, the Pearl Cluster, above the emission nebulosity. At left is the Southern Cross, with the dark Coal Sack at bottom left of the Cross, with thin tendrils extending to the right. To the left of Alpha Cruxis at the bottom of the Cross is t

13900602 - The amazing area of the southern Milky Way in Carina and Crux, the brightest part of the Milky Way after the galactic core region. At right is the Carina Nebula, with the Southern Pleiades cluster, IC 2602, below it. The Football Cluster, NGC 3532, is at upper left of the Carina Nebula. At centre is the region of Lambda Centauri, with the star cluster NGC 3766, the Pearl Cluster, above the emission nebulosity. At left is the Southern Cross, with the dark Coal Sack at bottom left of the Cross, with thin tendrils extending to the right. To the left of Alpha Cruxis at the bottom of the Cross is t

13900570 - A Park interpreter poses for a scene in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, of stargazing with binoculars under the Milky Way on a dark moonless night. Grasslands is perfect for stargazing as it is a Dark Sky Preserve and the horizon is vast and unobstructed.

An aurora curtain and the Big Dipper over a Blackfoot Nation tipi, taken from Elk Island National Park, Sept 2006 during the Dark Sky Preserve declaration ceremony event. A single short exposure for 25 seconds with the 16mm lens at f/3.5 and Canon 20D at ISO 400.

13899632 - An aurora curtain and the Big Dipper over a Blackfoot Nation tipi, taken from Elk Island National Park, Sept 2006 during the Dark Sky Preserve declaration ceremony event. A single short exposure for 25 seconds with the 16mm lens at f/3.5 and Canon 20D at ISO 400.

A panorama of NLCs – noctilucent clouds – aka PMCs or polar mesospheric clouds, taken on June 20, 2022 about 11:40 pm MDT, from home in southern Alberta. After many cloudy nights and some clear nights with no NLCs, this was my first sighting since June 1. The bright luminous mesospheric clouds lit by sunlight at high altitude contrast with the dark tropospheric clouds to the left at low altitude.

13899582 - A panorama of NLCs – noctilucent clouds – aka PMCs or polar mesospheric clouds, taken on June 20, 2022 about 11:40 pm MDT, from home in southern Alberta. After many cloudy nights and some clear nights with no NLCs, this was my first sighting since June 1. The bright luminous mesospheric clouds lit by sunlight at high altitude contrast with the dark tropospheric clouds to the left at low altitude.

The region of the Southern Cross, Crux, at left and around the Carina Nebula, at right. To the left of the Southern Cross is the dark Coal Sack. Open star clusters around the Carina Nebula are NGC 3532 (at upper left of nebula), IC 2602, the Southern Pleiades (below the nebula), and NGC 3114 (right of nebula). Taken on a hazy night, so the glows around stars are natural and not introduced from a filter. This is a stack of 5 x 6 minute exposures at f/2.8 with the Sigma 50mm lens and Canon 60Da at ISO 800, on the iOptron SkyTracker. Taken from Coonabarbran, NSW, Australia, March 22, 2014.

13899499 - The region of the Southern Cross, Crux, at left and around the Carina Nebula, at right. To the left of the Southern Cross is the dark Coal Sack. Open star clusters around the Carina Nebula are NGC 3532 (at upper left of nebula), IC 2602, the Southern Pleiades (below the nebula), and NGC 3114 (right of nebula). Taken on a hazy night, so the glows around stars are natural and not introduced from a filter. This is a stack of 5 x 6 minute exposures at f/2.8 with the Sigma 50mm lens and Canon 60Da at ISO 800, on the iOptron SkyTracker. Taken from Coonabarbran, NSW, Australia, March 22, 2014.

The colourful region around yellow Antares (bottom) in Scorpius and blue Rho Ophiuchi (top) in Ophiuchus. The nebulas are largely reflection nebulas, taking on the colour of the stars embedded in the nebulas. However, the field also contains a lot of emission nebulosity, hydrogen gas glowing red and magenta. Plus there are fingers of brown dark dusty nebulosity. It is one of the most colourful regions of the sky.

13899016 - The colourful region around yellow Antares (bottom) in Scorpius and blue Rho Ophiuchi (top) in Ophiuchus. The nebulas are largely reflection nebulas, taking on the colour of the stars embedded in the nebulas. However, the field also contains a lot of emission nebulosity, hydrogen gas glowing red and magenta. Plus there are fingers of brown dark dusty nebulosity. It is one of the most colourful regions of the sky.

A framing of the field around the bright white star Altair (lower left), and the orange giant star Tarazed above, with the dark nebula complex B142 (lower dark lane) and B143 (the top pair of dark lanes), together known as Barnard's E. These are all in Aquila.

13898985 - A framing of the field around the bright white star Altair (lower left), and the orange giant star Tarazed above, with the dark nebula complex B142 (lower dark lane) and B143 (the top pair of dark lanes), together known as Barnard's E. These are all in Aquila.

The Milky Way over the old corral at the site of the 76 Ranch in the Frenchman Valley in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan. I shot this Aug 26 on a perfect night, with aurora beginning to kick up but still low in brightness when I shot this so the sky was dark. The foreground is lit by starlight, by the aurora brightening in the north, and by the occasional flashes of spotlights from naturalists down the valley spotting for nocturnal ferrets. The green bands in the sky are from natural airglow.

13898902 - The Milky Way over the old corral at the site of the 76 Ranch in the Frenchman Valley in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan. I shot this Aug 26 on a perfect night, with aurora beginning to kick up but still low in brightness when I shot this so the sky was dark. The foreground is lit by starlight, by the aurora brightening in the north, and by the occasional flashes of spotlights from naturalists down the valley spotting for nocturnal ferrets. The green bands in the sky are from natural airglow.

Evening twilight with Venus in the sky, on December 3, 2013 from Massai Point, Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona. This is a 8-frame HDR High Dynamic Range stack to compress the high contrast from the bright sky and dark foreground into one image. Combined with Photomatix Pro. Taken with the Canon 5D MkIi and Rokinon 14mm manual lens at f/8. Some wind has blurred trees. From images _MG_7042 to 7049, taken at 2/3rd stop increments.

13898845 - Evening twilight with Venus in the sky, on December 3, 2013 from Massai Point, Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona. This is a 8-frame HDR High Dynamic Range stack to compress the high contrast from the bright sky and dark foreground into one image. Combined with Photomatix Pro. Taken with the Canon 5D MkIi and Rokinon 14mm manual lens at f/8. Some wind has blurred trees. From images _MG_7042 to 7049, taken at 2/3rd stop increments.

The Dark Emu of aboriginal sky lore rising in a moonlit sky over the Tasman Sea from a beach near Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Australia, April 2, 2017. Lights from fishing boats dot the horizon out at sea. Illumination is from the waxing crescent Moon behind the camera to the north. This is looking southeast. Crux, the Southern Cross, is at top; the Pointer Stars are below.

13898490 - The Dark Emu of aboriginal sky lore rising in a moonlit sky over the Tasman Sea from a beach near Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Australia, April 2, 2017. Lights from fishing boats dot the horizon out at sea. Illumination is from the waxing crescent Moon behind the camera to the north. This is looking southeast. Crux, the Southern Cross, is at top; the Pointer Stars are below.

Sunset twilight colours and the waxing gibbous Moon over the Chiricahua Mountains in southeast Arizona, south of Willcox. Taken December 15, 2013 on Highway 186. Taken with the 24mm lens and Canon 5D MkII. Some dark crepuscular rays are visible converging to the anti-solar point.

13898005 - Sunset twilight colours and the waxing gibbous Moon over the Chiricahua Mountains in southeast Arizona, south of Willcox. Taken December 15, 2013 on Highway 186. Taken with the 24mm lens and Canon 5D MkII. Some dark crepuscular rays are visible converging to the anti-solar point.

The 2016 Perseid meteor shower, in a view looking north to the Big Dipper and with the radiant point in Perseus at upper right, the point where the meteors appear to be streaking from. I shot this on the peak night of the shower, August 11/12 after moonset so the sky was dark and in fact filled with bright airglow, appearing here as bands of green and yellow, mixed with a low-level aurora to the north as well. While it looks like the sky has artificial light pollution, the glows here are natural, from aurora and airglow.

13897964 - The 2016 Perseid meteor shower, in a view looking north to the Big Dipper and with the radiant point in Perseus at upper right, the point where the meteors appear to be streaking from. I shot this on the peak night of the shower, August 11/12 after moonset so the sky was dark and in fact filled with bright airglow, appearing here as bands of green and yellow, mixed with a low-level aurora to the north as well. While it looks like the sky has artificial light pollution, the glows here are natural, from aurora and airglow.

This captures the vertical sweep of the summer Milky Way over the foreground landscape of Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta. The image serves as a good illustration of the richness of objects, dark dust lanes and bright starfields along the Milky Way, from Sagittarius low in the south at bottom, to Cygnus at top. In between are Aquila and Scutum, with part of Ophiuchus at right. This was from latitude 50.5° North, where Sagittarius and the galactic centre are low in sky. The Summer Triangle stars of Deneb, Vega and Altair are at top.

13897654 - This captures the vertical sweep of the summer Milky Way over the foreground landscape of Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta. The image serves as a good illustration of the richness of objects, dark dust lanes and bright starfields along the Milky Way, from Sagittarius low in the south at bottom, to Cygnus at top. In between are Aquila and Scutum, with part of Ophiuchus at right. This was from latitude 50.5° North, where Sagittarius and the galactic centre are low in sky. The Summer Triangle stars of Deneb, Vega and Altair are at top.

The galactic centre region of the Milky Way in Sagittarius and Scorpius, over the upper field of the Texas Star Party, near Fort Davis, Texas, May 13, 2015. About 600 people gather here each spring for a star party under very dark skies near the MacDonald Observatory. Sagittarius is left of centre and Scorpius is right of centre with the planet Saturn the bright object at the top edge right of centre. The dark lanes of the Dark Horse and Pipe Nebula areas lead from the Milky Way to the stars of Scorpius, including Antares. The semi-circular Corona Australis is just clearing the hilltop at left

13897445 - The galactic centre region of the Milky Way in Sagittarius and Scorpius, over the upper field of the Texas Star Party, near Fort Davis, Texas, May 13, 2015. About 600 people gather here each spring for a star party under very dark skies near the MacDonald Observatory. Sagittarius is left of centre and Scorpius is right of centre with the planet Saturn the bright object at the top edge right of centre. The dark lanes of the Dark Horse and Pipe Nebula areas lead from the Milky Way to the stars of Scorpius, including Antares. The semi-circular Corona Australis is just clearing the hilltop at left

A lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) with lengthy flowing tentacles photographed against the black background of the dark north east atlantic.

13829438 - A lion's mane jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) with lengthy flowing tentacles photographed against the black background of the dark north east atlantic.

13895711 - Sunset, Dark Harbour Grand Manan Island New Brunswick, Canada

13882392 - Dark stormy sky over volcanic moonscape in the Wheeler Geologic Area.

Dynjandi Waterfall with a dark cloud formation above the sunlit cliffs, is the the main waterfall of Dynjandi, a series of 7 waterfalls on the Arnarfjörður and the largest waterfalls in the Westfjords of Iceland; Arnarfjordur, Westfjords, Iceland

13884988 - Dynjandi Waterfall with a dark cloud formation above the sunlit cliffs, is the the main waterfall of Dynjandi, a series of 7 waterfalls on the Arnarfjörður and the largest waterfalls in the Westfjords of Iceland; Arnarfjordur, Westfjords, Iceland

13881822 - A lighthouse off the coast of Isle of Mull, Scotland, is illuminated against a dark sky, viewed from the deck of a ship; Isle of Mull, Scotland

13885221 - A National Geographic writer climbs toward Dark Star, a limestone cave system in Uzbekistan's Boysuntov Range.

The sun bursts through colorful autumn foliage and a waterfall meanders around rocks along Dark Hollow Falls Hiking Trail in Shenandoah National Park.; Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, Virginia, United States of America

13881534 - The sun bursts through colorful autumn foliage and a waterfall meanders around rocks along Dark Hollow Falls Hiking Trail in Shenandoah National Park.; Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, Virginia, United States of America

13895709 - Sunset, Dark Harbour, Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick, Canada

Expedition team members camp on a cliff's edge during their trek toward Dark Star, a limestone cave system in Uzbekistan's Boysuntov Range.; Uzbekistan.

13884540 - Expedition team members camp on a cliff's edge during their trek toward Dark Star, a limestone cave system in Uzbekistan's Boysuntov Range.; Uzbekistan.

71422252 - UK, Northern Ireland, County Antrim, Ballymoney, The Dark Hedges, tree-lined road at dawn

71387826 - Dark clouds in the intense sunset over the Atlantic, La Palma, Spain

71387614 - View of fjord and strait, Streymoy, Faeror Islands, dark clouds, watercourse in foreground

71416391 - old warehouses and fishing boats under dark cloudy sky at Ana Chavez Bay in Sao Tome on Sao Tome Island in West Africa

71388045 - Saksun church by the fjord, Streymoy, Faroe Islands. Dark clouds. Waterfall. Lonely.

71422251 - UK, Northern Ireland, County Antrim, Ballymoney, The Dark Hedges, tree-lined road at dawn

71387615 - River course in Disvoy Fjord, Streymoy, Faeroe Islands. Dark clouds.

71387608 - View of a lonely village in a wide landscape. Funnings, Eysturoy, Faeroer. Dark clouds, glimmers of light