Observatory, Mountains, Universe

The awesomeness in this image comes in layers. The closest layer,
in the foreground, contains the Peak Terskol Observatory located
in the northern Caucasus Mountains of Russia. The white dome over
the 2-meter telescope is clearly visible. The observatory is located
on a shoulder of Mt. Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe, with
other peaks visible in a nearby background layer. Clouds are visible
both in front of and behind the mountain peaks. The featured three-image
composite panorama was taken in 2014 August. Far in the distance is the
most distant layer: the stars and nebulas of the night sky, with the
central band of the Milky Way rising on the image right.