Explanation: Have you ever seen the Milky Way? On a clear night in a dark location, a faint band of light becomes visible across the sky. Once your eyes have adapted to the darkness, you may be able to see the band for the first time. It may then become obvious. Then it becomes spectacular. One reason for your growing astonishment may be realizing that this fuzzy swath contains billions of stars. In the featured image, the band of the Milky Way Galaxy arcs high above the night sky. Also visible are the colorful Rho Ophiuchi clouds on the right and the red, circular Zeta Ophiuchi nebula near the top center. Taken in late February from Maunakea in Hawaii, 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.
