An ancient sea god under the Milky Way

This is Manann Mclir, the mythical Celtic god of the sea overlooking Lough Foyle in Northern Ireland. The Milky Way galaxy is rising above the statue's arms in all its glory. Glenn Miles Photography posted this one at EarthSky Facebook, in celebration of International Dark Sky Week, April 20-26, 2014. Visit Glenn Miles Photography.

View on Facebook. | A statue of Manann Mclir, the mythical Celtic god of the sea overlooks Lough Foyle, an estuary of the River Foyle in Ulster in Northern Ireland. The Milky Way galaxy is rising above the statue’s arms. According to legend in Northern Ireland, Manann Mclir is the Irish equivalent of the Roman sea god Neptune (or Greek Poseidon). It’s said his spirit is released in fierce storms. Glenn Miles Photography posted this photo at EarthSky Facebook, in celebration of International Dark Sky Week, April 20-26, 2014. Visit Glenn Miles Photography.

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Deborah Byrd

Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.

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