This wide-angle view of the Milky Way shows clearly that we live inside a spiral galaxy, looking here towards its very center. This view spans almost half of the sky overhead. Dozens of deep-sky objects are identifiable among the star fields. For another view, showing the constellations, click here.

Nikon 24mm lens at f/4. Three ten-minute exposures on gas-hypersensitized Kodak Pro 400 PPF color-negative film. The field is approximately 47° x 70°. North is to the upper left. Photographed from near Vicuña, Chile. ©1998