Astronomy Picture of the Day ·

Gigantic Jet Over the Tatacoa Desert

The Astronomy Picture of the Day for July 15, 2026 is “Gigantic Jet Over the Tatacoa Desert,” an image. The picture is copyrighted by its creator (Image Credit & Copyright: Mario Vargas Text: Keighley Rockcliffe ( NASA GSFC , UMBC CSST , CRESST II )). The original explanation runs about 152 words.

Lightning spreads like roots from a tree up into the atmosphere from the top of a cloud. Stars are scattered across the night sky above and the desert sits below the cloud deck.
Credit: Image Credit & Copyright: Mario Vargas Text: Keighley Rockcliffe ( NASA GSFC , UMBC CSST , CRESST II ) Copyrighted Shown from science.nasa.gov. Not hosted by OpenOrbit.

From the explanation

“Is there an angry Sith using force lightning in the Tatacoa Desert ? This is not science fiction, but a gigantic jet with multiple red streamers !”

— APOD editors, July 15, 2026

Read the full explanation on science.nasa.gov

At a glance

Date
July 15, 2026
Type
Image
Credit
Credit: Image Credit & Copyright: Mario Vargas Text: Keighley Rockcliffe ( NASA GSFC , UMBC CSST , CRESST II )
Copyright
Copyrighted by the credited creator. Ask the copyright holder before reusing it.
Explanation length
About 152 words

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Source

Copy taken Oct 28, 2026, 2:39 AM EDT. The image and explanation belong to their creators. OpenOrbit is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA.