                        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.

                                 2025 May 20
       A wide starfield is shown with the dark and light band arching
   horizontally across the middle. On the right is a colorful and complex
    nebula, and near the top center is a red circular nebula. Please see
               the explanation for more detailed information.

                           Milky Way over Maunakea
                Image Credit & Copyright: Marzena Rogozinska

   Explanation: Have you ever seen the band of our Milky Way Galaxy? In a
   clear sky from a dark location at the right time, a faint band of light
   becomes visible across the sky. Soon after your eyes become dark
   adapted, you might spot the band for the first time. It may then become
   obvious. Then spectacular. One reason for your growing astonishment
   might be the realization that this fuzzy swath, the Milky Way, contains
   billions of stars. Visible in the featured image, high above in the
   night sky, the band of the Milky Way Galaxy arcs. Also visible are the
   colorful clouds of Rho Ophiuchi on the right, and the red and circular
   Zeta Ophiuchi nebula near the top center. Taken in late February from
   Maunakea, Hawaii, USA, the foreground telescope is the University of
   Hawaii's 2.2-Meter Telescope. Fortunately, you don’t need to be near
   the top of a Hawaiian volcano to see the Milky Way.

              Put it All Together: Astronomy Puzzle of the Day
                       Tomorrow's picture: sun station
     __________________________________________________________________

       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.
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                           NASA Science Activation
                             & Michigan Tech. U.

