Lunar Alpenglow and Orion

The setting Moon casts its light on the sacred Chana Dorje peak at Yading National Reserve in the Sichuan province of China. In the background sky, you can see the three belt stars of Orion lined up almost vertically above the pyramid-shaped peak. The Horsehead Nebula (B33) is visible near the belt stars, and to the right is the great Orion Nebula (M42). The red, glowing circular structure surrounding Orion is Barnard’s Loop. Copper-colored Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionis) and blue Rigel (Beta Orionis) appear on the left and right sides, respectively.

Jeff Dai