Mounted image 155: Icy Penitents by Moonlight on Chajnantor

These striking ice and snow formations are known as penitentes (Spanish for “penitents”). Although they look like bizarre sculptures, they are natural marvels created by specific physical conditions in high-altitude regions, such as here on the 5000-metre Chajnantor plateau, the site of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).

 

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Credit:

ESO/B. Tafreshi (twanight.org)

About the Mounted Image

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Id:mounted_0155
Release date:20 June 2012, 17:04
Dimensions:60 cm (W) x 43 cm (H) x 1 cm (D)
Related archive image:potw1221a

More details about this product:
See the ESO Shop Catalogue.