Astronomy Picture of the Day  
    
      Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our  
        fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation  
                      written by a professional astronomer.  
    
                                  2026 July 28  
     A pair of snow topped volcanoes are seen in the distance. A background  
      starry sky is seen behind them, with a red filamentary nebula looping  
      around that appears to connect the two tops of the volcanoes. Please  
               see the explanation for more detailed information.  
    
                        Barnards Loop over Twin Volcanoes  
                Image Credit & Copyright: Gonzalo Laserna Vargas  
    
     Explanation: What's connecting these two volcanoes? In ancient  
     folklore, the two volcanoes, Parinacota (left) and Pomerape (right),  
     are connected by representing a mythical prince and princess who  
     engaged in a forbidden romance. Beneath the ground, the two peaks are  
     not known to be connected by a common pool of hot magma, and neither  
     volcano has erupted in the past 1000 years. Above the ground, there is  
     usually nothing in the sky that connects them -- except if you use  
     careful timing and look from a specific location. The featured  
     well-planned image was captured from Bolivia in mid-April with a series  
     of camera exposures taken on the same day and from the same location.  
     Then, Barnard's Loop appeared to connect the volcanic peaks. Also  
     visible in the image is the Orion Nebula in the center, the star  
     Betelgeuse on the right, and the Rosette Nebula on the upper right.  
    
      Sky Surprise: What picture did APOD feature on your birthday? (after  
                                      1995)  
                         Tomorrow's picture: open space  
       __________________________________________________________________  
    
         Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (UMCP)  
              NASA Official: Amber Straughn Specific rights apply.  
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                               & Michigan Tech. U.  
    
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   * Origin: The Rusty MailBox - Penticton, BC Canada (1:153/757)