Three Galaxies, a Meteor, and the Zodiacal Light

This photo shows the Milky Way spanning high above the Gemini South 8-meter telescope located on Cerro Pachón, Chile. The faint zodiacal light made up of interplanetary dust particles is visible on the right, while a meteor - another example of interplanetary dust, albeit closer to home - is seen trailing above. The Magellanic Clouds - two satellite galaxies of our own Milky Way - are also visible on the lower left. Gemini South is a part of the International Gemini Observatory, a program of NSF NOIRLab.