Stars above the Doughnut Sculpture
A composite long exposure image made up of many images. The pole star and blurred constellation known as "The Big Dipper" / "Ursa Major" / "Plough" / "Butcher's Cleaver" / "Steelpannetie" can be seen.
This was one of many failed Iridium Flare capture attempts, foiled by high level cloud. Taken in near darkness, the stars were scarcely visible. It always amazes me how much light the sensor in my Canon 300D can soak up.
This sculpture was a gift from the Mayor of Naples. It is officially called The Big Green Bagel but is known locally variously as the Donut / Doughnut / Seasick Doughnut Sculpture. The sculpture is indented with deep, sheer holes in the shape of the earth's continents. Just visible near the top is "South America".
Tourists endlessly put their face in the centre hole and get themselves photographed in this pose. So compelling is this urge, I assume that they will eventually discover a specific gene governing the behaviour.
The contrast, gamma and colouration of this image have been heavily modified. The constellation overlay was taken either from "Heavens Above" or "Sky & Telescope". Because the projections never seem to match the view/distortion seen through the camera lens, some distortion of the overlay was necessary.
The natural colour of the urban night sky above Brighton - illuminated by the bright orange Low Pressure Sodium Gas Discharge lamps of the suburban street lighting - is the same colour as my smoker's teeth. It can be variously described as Tuscan Sunset, Brown Café or just Pub Ceiling. (Joke stolen from the film of Tristram Shandy.)
Astronomers "prefer" low pressure sodium lights over other similar light sources because the spectra is relatively simple, and easier to filter out. The bright orange streetlamps also have the odd benefit that they do not dim with age. Rather, they become less efficient - consuming increasingly more current for the same light output until they eventually fail.