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“Egyptian Nights”

The galaxy seen through a natural arch in Egypt.
The galaxy seen through a natural arch in Egypt. Photo: Burak Esenbey

In western Egypt, there are a couple contrasting deserts. The black desert is so-named for its erosion-derived basalt, while the white desert’s calcium, quartz crystals, and limestone lend the land its chalky constitution. The desert’s winds also create interesting rock formations in the white desert, like this arch in the foreground of the Milky Way.