APOD: 2022 April 16 - Orion Pines

Good afternoon, Rallypoint, and welcome to the April 16th Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD): "Orion Pines." Today's APOD was taken near Albanyà, in the extreme northeastern corner of Spain. Its rural setting and geographic isolation near the French border have helped preserve its relatively dark night skies. Locals have begun promoting astrotourism as an antidote to the otherwise economically depressed conditions in the region. Being able to see Barnard's Loop around Orion, I can see why.