Three Galaxies and a Comet

Diffuse starlight and dark nebulae along the southern Milky Way arc over the horizon and
sprawl diagonally through this gorgeous nightscape. The breath-taking mosaic spans a wide
100 degrees, with the rugged terrain of the Patagonia, Argentina region in the foreground.
Along with the insider's view of our own galaxy, the image features our outside perspective
on two irregular satellite galaxies - the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. Recorded on
January 28, the scene also captures the broad tail and bright coma of Comet McNaught,
The Great Comet of 2007.