A Stargazer’s View from Kitt Peak

The Milky Way is a disk-shaped spiral galaxy with many arms, each holding countless stars and celestial objects. Often, the most common view of the Milky Way is of the brightest and most concentrated region of the galaxy in the direction of the constellation Sagittarius. This photographer instead looked toward Orion — identifiable by the distinct three-star ‘belt’ — for this Image of the Week to capture the Orion-Cygnus Arm. The bright stars, clusters, and nebulae, such as the red giant Aldebaran (center) and the Orion Nebula (center right), that lie within the arm hold significance for cultures across the globe and are areas ripe for exploring many astrophysical processes. This section of the Milky Way is also where our Solar System is located. 

Pictured beneath this fascinating patch of sky is the Visitor Center Roll Off Roof Observatory at U.S. National Science Foundation Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), a Program of NSF NOIRLab. While most of the telescopes at KPNO are dedicated to scientific research, the Roll Off Roof Observatory is used solely for outreach programs, giving educators and members of the public a chance to explore the night sky from this excellent observing location.

This photo was taken as part of the NOIRLab 2022 Photo Expedition to all the NOIRLab sites. Petr Horálek, the photographer, is a NOIRLab Audiovisual Ambassador.