Aït Benhaddou, Morocco Nov 9, 2024

Aït Benhaddou, Morocco

Get ready for a starry Moroccan night! Stargazing here is truly magical, as the vast skies and minimal light pollution transform each evening into a dazzling display. Every star you see is part of our galaxy, the Milky Way, which appears as a creamy band of light in the darkest skies. In today"s image, you can see this cosmic beauty glowing over Aït Benhaddou, a historic fortified village known as a ksar, in the Ouarzazate province of Morocco. This site was first fortified in the 11th century. It was a key stop on the ancient caravan trade route connecting the Sahara and the city of Marrakesh. Perched on a hillside by the Ounila River, this village is a cluster of buildings encircled by a protective wall, complete with towers and a gate.

© Cavan Images/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Nov 9, 2018Let’s go foraging
Nov 9, 2019We heart Berlin
Nov 9, 2020Autumn in Piedmont
Nov 9, 2021Dalyan, Turkey
Nov 9, 2022European hedgehog in Sussex, England
Nov 9, 2023Birch trees, Drammen, Norway
Nov 9, 2025Carl Sagan Day

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul 5, 2021How green is my valley
Jul 31, 2023Rock House in Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
Oct 17, 2024Frost-covered dunes on Mars
Jun 26, 2022Pride 2022
Jun 17, 2024Pollinator Week
May 2, 2018Mackerel forming a bait ball to avoid predators
Feb 9, 2019A tale of almonds and bees
Mar 27, 2023New York City skyline
Oct 11, 20181.1 billion opportunities for a better world
May 5, 2019Celebrating Mexico in a Cultural Capital
Mar 15, 2022Beware the Ides of March
Aug 19, 2020Freeze frame
Nov 22, 2023Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Feb 16, 2024Great Backyard Bird Count
Jul 4, 2019It s Independence Day
Sep 10, 2020Hidden beauty in Thailand
Dec 11, 2019In the Himalayas for International Mountain Day
Jun 2, 2025National Garden Week begins today
Mar 2, 2019You won’t see this on Mulberry Street
Jul 4, 2021Happy Independence Day!
Oct 31, 2022Wychwood Forest, Oxfordshire, England
Jan 11, 2018Bow Bridge in Central Park, New York City
Mar 27, 2026World Theatre Day
Jul 16, 2019Hemingway’s Keys
Jul 15, 2020Who left the tub running?
May 9, 2020Here’s looking at you, teachers
Jun 26, 2020Beautiful baobabs
Feb 17, 2020Happy Presidents Day
Sep 16, 2024Wallabies at sunrise, Australia
May 15, 2020The last thing seen by Wile E. Coyote