                        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.

                              2023 September 16

                            Fireball over Iceland
                 Image Credit & Copyright: Jennifer Franklin

   Explanation: On September 12, from a location just south of the Arctic
   Circle, stones of Iceland's modern Arctic Henge point skyward in this
   startling scene. Entertaining an intrepid group of aurora hunters
   during a geomagnetic storm, alluring northern lights dance across the
   darkened sky when a stunning fireball meteor explodes. Awestruck, the
   camera-equipped skygazers captured video and still images of the boreal
   bolide, at its peak about as bright as a full moon. Though quickly
   fading from view, the fireball left a lingering visible trail or
   persistent train. The wraith-like trail was seen for minutes wafting in
   the upper atmosphere at altitudes of 60 to 90 kilometers along with the
   auroral glow.

                Tomorrow's picture: Magnified Moon Mountains
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       Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)
            NASA Official: Phillip Newman Specific rights apply.
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