It appears that everyone is having a great deal of fun speculating about the position of the belt stars at a given time in history. They are not where they appear to be in any case, so what difference can it possibly make where they were when they were only "apparently" there to begin with...
It is apparent that my comments about this photograph have been misunderstood by some readers. I do not suggest that the bright star in the foreground is actually illuminating NGC 613, that is impossible. What I have suggested, however, is that you view it from a new perspective, suspend reality and...
This incredibly beautiful photograph has, if viewed as a piece of art, a very surreal appearance. The bright star in the foreground is illuminating the barred galaxy providing an unusual perspective.