21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Across the galaxy

In the deep desert night, the lake is like a quiet mirror, reflecting the brilliance of the Milky Way and the stars. Suddenly, the two planes crossed the Milky Way at a rapid speed, leaving behind two bright or dark lines, like meteors streaking across the night sky, brief and shocking. Taken on October 20, 2023 in the Badain Jaran Desert in Inner Mongolia, China.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: China
Camera: NIKON D810
Copyright: © Yi Yuan