Kjell Henriksen Observatory Dec 28, 2021

Kjell Henriksen Observatory

While these domes look like they should be in a movie set depicting a galaxy far, far away, they"re actually part of a scientific research station here on planet Earth. Kjell Henriksen Observatory is named for a Norwegian scientist whose research focused on the polar lights. The aurora borealis is frequently seen here, deep within the Arctic Circle in Norway"s remote Svalbard territory. And the observatory is specially designed to observe the aurora. Since it opened in 2008, the observatory has become a destination for atmospheric scientists, who can rent one of these 30 glass-topped rooms built to house high-end optical instruments.

© Vincent Fournier/Gallery Stock

palette

Today in History

Dec 28, 2018A species no longer at risk
Dec 28, 2019Did they forget to fly south?
Dec 28, 2020Wildcat in a winter wonderland
Dec 28, 2022Maloja, Switzerland
Dec 28, 202350 years of the Endangered Species Act
Dec 28, 2024Endangered Species Act
Dec 28, 2025Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act of 1973

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jan 30, 2019Embracing the cold
Jun 29, 2018Waiting for the perfect shot
May 4, 2025Star Wars Day
Dec 2, 2021Denali National Park
Mar 11, 2019You re feeling sleepy
Apr 9, 2021A timeless view of the night sky
Jul 28, 2018Defying gravity on a swing ride
Jan 13, 2026Hen Galan
Mar 27, 2022World Theatre Day
Jul 3, 2019Keep calm and drive on (slowly)
Jun 15, 2025Happy Fathers Day!
Dec 29, 2024Borobudur Temple, Java, Indonesia
May 27, 2021Listening to the sea
Feb 24, 2023Mandarin duck, Richmond Park, London, England
May 22, 2021Blue paradise on the Costa Brava
Jan 10, 2019‘You should see the one that got away!’
Mar 2, 2018Satellite image of sand and seaweed in the Bahamas
Mar 27, 2020Pretty in pink, and purple, and red…
Nov 14, 2018Monet still makes an impression
Feb 9, 2024Pegadung Rock, Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
Nov 23, 2023Happy Thanksgiving!
May 29, 2020It s Bermuda s big day
Apr 1, 2025National Frog Month
Aug 27, 2023Jeju Island, South Korea
Feb 1, 2020Mapping courage in the Seventh Ward
Jan 27, 2023Guanahacabibes National Park, Cuba
Nov 6, 2018A truly American monument
Dec 13, 2020The view will stop you in your tracks
Sep 28, 2020Explorer of the sea
Feb 21, 2019Sounds of Bach come to Bath