APOD: 2021 March 3 - Stars over an Erupting Volcano

Good morning, Rallypoint. Today's Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) is titled "Stars over an Erupting Volcano." The volcano is Sicily's Mount Etna, and it has been erupting for more than two weeks now. Etna's eruptions have been documented since 1500 BC, when people living in the eastern part of the island first migrated to its western end for safety. The volcano has experienced more than 200 eruptions since then, although most are moderately small. Etna's most powerful recorded eruption was in 1669, when explosions destroyed part of the summit and lava flows from a fissure on the volcano's flank reached the sea and the town of Catania, more than ten miles away.

This is a composite image; the foreground and background were captured consecutively from the same location by the same camera. The eruptions between February 20th and 23rd have featured lava plumes nearly a mile high over the summit. The satellite trails are an interesting commentary on an otherwise ancient process.