Astronomy Image of the Day
Sentinels of a Northern Sky
10 January 2017
Pierre Destribats

NASA Astronomy Image of the Day for 10 January 2017
Who guards the north? The featured picture was taken last March in Finnish Lapland where weather can include sub-freezing temperatures and driving snow. Surreal landscapes sometimes result, where white alien-looking sentinels seem to patrol the landscape. In actuality though, the aliens are snow-covered trees, and the red hut they seem to be guarding is an outhouse. Far in the distance, behind this uncommon Earthly vista, is a beautiful night sky which includes a green aurora, bright stars, and streaks of orbiting satellites. Of course, in the spring, the trees thaw and Lapland looks much different.
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Image and explanation courtesy of NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day