Our home galaxy, the Milky Way, appears above palm trees and the town of Abraćo in Ilha Grande, an island in Brazil. Looking at this dramatic view we might wonder about the other habitable worlds in the galaxy. How many planets in the Milky Way could support life?
A flashing satellite is also captured in the view. Other celestial attractions include the dark Coalsack nebula and the Southern Cross at the lower left, and the bright bulge of the Milky Way towards the galactic center on the upper left. Ilha Grande is located off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state and it is largely preserved and noted for its scenic beauty. The island is one of the most pristine remnants of Brazil's Atlantic rainforest and one of the richest ecosystems in the world.