Twenty-year-old AJ Smadi may have only been practicing astrophotography for two years, but his skills have already been garnering attention. One of his images has even been selected as NASA’s Astronomy Photo of the Day. Last month, he showed off his talents with an incredible photo of a solar eclipse on Saturn. This gas giant will be seeing quite a few eclipses in the near future, and Smadi made sure he was ready with his equipment to capture the event.

Saturn has more moons than any other planet in our solar system, with a total of 145 confirmed satellites. But only seven of these are large enough to eclipse the sun, casting a shadow on the planet’s surface. In the next few months, one of Saturn’s largest moons, Titan, will transit the planet several times before taking a break until 2040.

Knowing that these events were about to happen, Smadi used the Stellarium sky app to track the eclipse. Luckily, it was visible not far from his location in Washington, and so he set out with his telescope, camera, and infrared filter. Setting up at 1 a.m., he waited several hours until Saturn was high enough to image. After the shoot, he stacked thousands of images using video captures into one final, incredible photo.

In it, Titan’s shadow is clearly visible on Saturn’s surface. But that’s not the only fascinating element of Smadi’s photo, as several other moons are also visible. Smadi posted a helpful image with labels to allow everyone to clearly see Dione, Tethys, and Enceladus. And, of course, Saturn’s stunning rings are ever-present, rendered in crisp detail.

Smadi’s prowess at planetary imaging is astounding considering his age and level of experience, making us excited to see how his skills will continue to grow and develop.

To stay updated with his work, follow AJ Smadi on Instagram.

Amateur astrophotographer AJ Smadi captured amazing images of a solar eclipse on Saturn.

The planet’s moon Titan caused the eclipse, but Smadi captured much more than that in his images.

 

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AJ Smadi: Instagram | Reddit

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by AJ Smadi.

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Photo: Nichole Ayers / NASA

Being 250 miles away from Earth provides astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) with some incredible views. But it also allows them to document happenings best seen from above. Astronaut Nichole Ayers, who is in orbit as part of the SpaceX Crew-10 mission, captured a rare phenomenon known as a gigantic jet on camera during a storm over North America.

NASA defines gigantic jets as a discharge that occurs between some thunderstorms and the Earth’s ionosphere high above them. “They are an unusual type of lightning that is much different from regular cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning,” they add. Gigantic jets are one of the known Transient Luminous Events (TLEs), which also include other elusive phenomena like sprites, halos, and ELVES—a dim, expanding red glow in the night sky.

Ayers captured the gigantic jet as the ISS went over Mexico and the U.S. on the morning of July 3. To get this image, she used a Nikon Z9 using a 50mm lens (f/1.2, ¼ sec, ISO 6400) she had set up in the Cupola to capture a time-lapse image. “In this photo, the storm appears to be hovering near the Texas-Mexico border,” Ayers said. “You can spot the glow of Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston to the northeast, and Torreón, Mexico, to the southwest.”

At first, due to its appearance, Ayers believed the mysterious lightning shooting upward to be a sprite, which are also very rare and enigmatic. “Some sprites tend to dance over the storms, turning on and off one after another,” NASA says. “Many questions about how and why they form remain unanswered.” TLEs are so poorly understood that even NASA has set up a citizen science project to gather as much footage as possible for further study.

Fellow astronaut Don Pettit, who is well-known for taking and sharing mind-blowing images from the ISS, praised Ayers for her insightful image. “To record a photo like this takes skill to set up the camera but more than that, the knowledge of what lightning systems are likely to create sprites and the willingness to take 2000-5000 images where only one will record a sprite,” he wrote. “Kudos to Nicole for her imagery efforts!” To which Ayers replied, “Trying to make you proud! Couldn’t get pictures like this without your willingness to teach and share knowledge with everyone.”

With how little is known about gigantic jets, sprites, and other TLE, Ayers hopes that this picture will help understand these phenomena better.  To stay up to date with the astronaut, make sure to follow Nichole Ayers on X.

Astronaut Nichole Ayers, who is in orbit as part of the SpaceX Crew-10 mission, captured a rare phenomenon known as a gigantic jet.

Photo: Nichole Ayers / NASA

Ayers captured the gigantic jet as the International Space Station went over Mexico and the U.S. on the morning of July 3.

Photo: Nichole Ayers / NASA

Sources: Nichole “Vapor” Ayers on X; Don Pettit on Instagram; NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day for June 18, 2024; Spritacular: NASA’s New Citizen Science Project to Capture Elusive Upper Atmospheric Electrical Phenomena on Camera

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“Fireworks” by Bence Tóth, Péter Feltóti, Bertalan Kecskés
The image shows M33, the Triangulum Galaxy from a new perspective. Due to tidal interaction with M31, there is very prominent star-forming activity in M33, which results in a spectacular structure of emission nebulae. During processing, a separate SHO picture was created with a strong SII/H-alpha presence, the glowing red structures in the picture, and blended with a high-resolution LRGB processing of the continuum data, representing the ‘background’ light.
Location: Sződliget, Pest and Törökkoppány, Somogy, Hungary, 2–4, 9, 23,30 November, 1, 27 and 28 December 2024

Dazzling galaxies, colorful Northern Lights, and the fiery sun are just some of the celestial bodies and natural phenomena that made the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year shortlist. Organized by Royal Observatory Greenwich, supported by ZWO and in association with BBC Sky at Night Magazine, the competition received over 5,500 entries from amateur and professional astrophotographers.

While the winners won’t be announced until September, the competition has given us a sneak peek at what we can expect by releasing its shortlist of finalists. From incredible solar prominences to solar eclipses, the images are a record of the year in astronomy. And in a new development, the annual Annie Maunder Prize for Image Innovation has been renamed. The Annie Maunder Open Category is a playground for photographers to experiment and showcase their creative approaches to astrophotography.

Now in its 17th year, the contest will once again award winners across nine categories, as well as two special prizes and an overall winner. Scroll down to see our favorite images from the 2025 shortlist and then head over to the official website to see all the finalists.

The ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest has released the shortlist of its 17th annual contest.

“500,000-km Solar Prominence Eruption” by PengFei Chou
On 7 November 2024, the Sun experienced a massive solar prominence eruption, with a length exceeding 500,000 km (311,000 miles). The eruption lasted approximately one hour from its initial outburst to its conclusion. The eruption phase of the prominence is composed of more than 20 stacked data sets, highlighting the entire process of this spectacular event.
Location: Eastern New District, Xinxing County, Guangdong province, China, 7 November 2024

“Aurora Over Mono Lake: A Rare Dance of Light” by Daniel Zafra
This photograph captures the rare occurrence of Northern Lights in California. Vibrant ribbons of magenta and green light up the sky, reflecting in the still waters among the rock formations.
Location: US 395, Mono Lake, Mono County, USA, 10 October 2024

“Moonrise Perfection Over the Dolomites” by Fabian Dalpiaz
The full Moon rising above the rugged peaks of the Dolomites. With no clouds in sight and in flawless conditions, the golden light of sunset bathes the mountains, creating harmony between Earth and sky.
Location: Santuario di Pietralba, Deutschnofen, South Tyrol, Italy, 15 November 2024

“Solar System Portrait” by Sophie Paulin
This image presents all the planets of our Solar System, excluding Earth, showcasing their unique characteristics. Mercury, the closest to the Sun, is a barren, cratered world, while Venus is shrouded in thick clouds. Mars, the Red Planet, has vast deserts and the largest volcano in the Solar System. The gas giants, Jupiter and Saturn, dominate with their immense size and swirling storms, while Saturn’s rings make it especially striking. Uranus and Neptune, the ice giants, are rich in methane, giving them their blue hue.
Location: Bobingen, Bavaria, Germany, 11 September 2023, 7 September, 29 August, and 28 December 2024

“Eight-Panel Mosaic of M31: Stars, Nebulae and Central Bulge” by Chuhong Yu, Jingyao Hong, Xi Zhu, Yaguang Wan
This image shows countless resolved stars, emission nebulae, and a mysterious central bulge. The photo is incredibly detailed, the mist surrounding the galaxy is actually tens of thousands of yellowish tiny stars.
Location: Daocheng County, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China, 30–31 October, 1–6, 20–30 November, 1–10 and 20–31 December 2024

“Dragon Tree Trails” by Benjamin Barakat
A solitary dragon tree stands tall in the heart of Socotra’s Dragon Blood Tree forest – an otherworldly landscape unlike anywhere else on Earth. The final image is composed of 300 individual exposures.
Location: Firmihin Forest, Hidaybu District, Yemen, 13 March 2024

“Close-up of a Comet” by Gerald Rhemann and Michael Jäger
The photographers traveled to Namibia to view Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) in the southern hemisphere. Due to the angle of the observation, the dust and ion tails seem to have overlapped, but the impact of solar winds on the day caused noticeable kinks in the ion tail.
Location: Tivoli Astrofarm, Windhoek Rural, Namibia, 30 September 2024

The photo contest received over 5,500 entries from amateur and professional astrophotographers.

“Gateway to the Galaxy” by Yujie Zhang
Under the night sky, several black geometric buildings appear to stand on the water’s surface, resembling gateways to the galaxy. The bright Milky Way stretches across the sky behind them, with stars twinkling. The reflections of the buildings shimmer in the water, blending reality and illusion, as if opening a passage to the mysteries of the Universe, inspiring endless reverie and a longing to explore the vast starry sky.
Location: Songyang County, China, 10 August 2024

“Kongen” by Filip Hrebenda
The photograph captures a remote location on the Senja Peninsula in northern Norway. In the foreground, birch trees beautifully reflect the colors of the dancing aurora in the sky.
Location: Stavelitippen, Fjordgård, Norway, 12 September 2024

“Encounter Within One Second” by Zhang Yanguang
This image captures the International Space Station (ISS) transiting across the solar disc. The solar background was captured separately with double-stacked etalon[an optical filter that isolates specific wavelengths, used to observe solar details], and reveals high-contrast chromospheric details. The imaging sequences were strategically combined during post-processing to preserve both the spacecraft’s crisp silhouette and the Sun’s intricate surface features.
Location: Xiamen, Fujian, China, 24 January 2025

“Blood Moon Rising Behind the City Skyscrapers” by Tianyao Yang
This photograph captures a red Full Moon rising beside Shanghai’s tallest skyscrapers in Lujiazui. Taken from a distance of 26.5 km (16.5 miles) from the skyscrapers in a single exposure, this image’s alignment took five years of planning. The Full Moon appears perfectly positioned next to the illuminated skyline, creating a striking contrast.
Location: Jiading District, Shanghai, China, 21 July 2024

“Abell 85: Pomegranate in the Universe” by Deqian Li
Abell 85 is a supernova remnant situated in the Milky Way galaxy that appears to some to be shaped like a pomegranate. This target is faint. The OIII signal in particular is exceedingly weak. To fully capture the signal, Deqian Li spent six days camping in Hongyuan County.
Location: Hongyuan County, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China, and Yingshan County, Nanchong, Sichuan, China, 30, 31 August, 1 and 3–5 September 2024

“Electric Threads of the Lightning Spaghetti Nebula” by Shaoyu Zhang
This full-spectrum image of the Spaghetti Nebula unveils the faint and elusive nature of this supernova remnant (SNR), hidden behind a vast cloud of dust that obstructs its emission light. To enhance its visual appeal, Shaoyu Zhang dedicated considerable time to capturing OIII data, intensifying the blue and green hues, while allowing SII and H-alpha to support high dynamic range stretching for added depth.
Location: Deep Sky Chile Observatory, Camino del Observatorio, Río Hurtado, Chile and Xiangcheng, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, China, 21, 24 and 25 December 2024, 3–5, 15, 16, 19–31 January, 1–6, 10–19 February 2025

“NGC 2997: The Antlia Cabbage Galaxy” by Xinran Li
NGC 2997 is a barred spiral galaxy (type SBc) in the constellation of Antlia. At 35 million light years distance, it has a visual magnitude of about 9.5, making it visible with binoculars in dark sites. The region is full of background H-alpha emissions, giving wonderful color to the image.
Location: El Sauce Observatory, Río Hurtado, Chile, 23 January, 4–5 February 2025

Astronomy Photographer of the Year: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by the Royal Observatory Greenwich.

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READ: 15 Otherworldly Finalists of the 2025 Astronomy Photographer of the Year Contest

This isn't Andrew McCarthy‘s first photo of the International Space Station (ISS) transiting the sun, but it might be his most memorable. In late June, the talented astrophotographer traveled to the Arizona desert to photograph the transit. What he didn't expect was to also capture a large solar flare shooting from the sun's surface. Calling it a “one-in-a-million shot,” the image is truly a mixture of skill and chance.

Taking him completely by surprise, getting the solar flare and the ISS was something he hadn't planned for. Perhaps it was a cosmic reward for braving the desert's sweltering temperatures, which reached up to 121°F. The scorching temperatures required a lot of planning to keep his equipment safe, but for McCarthy it was well worth it to take “one of the most rewarding shots of my career.”

“To get this shot, I risked heatstroke by traveling during an excessive heat warning,” he told PetaPixel. “I had to bring several ice packs to put under my computers and sensitive electronics, and run thermoelectric coolers on my cameras. I brought an entire cooler full of water and managed to drink all of it!”

Once he was back in the safety of his own home, McCarthy was able to process the frames he shot and stack the final composition. Titled Kardashev Dreams, it represents “our first steps to being a much greater civilization,” according to the photographer. The piece is now available as a print on his website for anyone who wants to hang it in their home.

Scroll down for the close-up view, as well as McCarthy's behind-the-scenes video. And be sure to follow Andrew McCarthy on Instagram to stay updated on his astrophotography adventures.

Astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy took a “one-in-a-million” photo of the ISS transiting the sun during a solar flare.

See the scorching desert heat he braved to carry about his project.

 

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Andrew McCarthy: Website | Instagram | X | Patreon | TikTok

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Andrew McCarthy.

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Japanese photographer Atsushi Tazaki, better known as Chito, spends a lot of time photographing the moon. But one particularly creative idea has captured the imagination of the internet. His series of photos showing a giant Buddha statue “pinching” the moon has caused a sensation. Combining a clever idea with flawless execution, Chito's photos are simply delightful.

Taken at the giant Buddha in Ushiku Daibutsu, his photos are a unique way of viewing one of the largest statues in the world. Inspired by his deep respect for Buddhist culture and the peaceful atmosphere that surrounds sacred spaces, Chito captures the moon just barely grazing the Buddha's hand, which is raised in the Vitarka Mudra, a symbol of sharing knowledge.

Before taking the photographs, Chito spent a considerable amount of time learning about the history and significance of the location. After visiting at several different times of the day, he settled on these atmospheric evening shots as they best convey the authentic mood of the monument.

The photographer is pleased to see people impacted by his efforts, as he views these images as a way to bring people from different backgrounds together. In doing so, he hopes that viewers will pause, reflect, and feel a sense of calm or a sense of curiosity about Buddhism.

Scroll down to see even more stunning compositions with the giant Buddha and follow Chito on Instagram for more unique glimpses of the moon.

A Japanese photographer who goes by Chito captured the giant Buddha as it appeared to “pinch” the moon.

Chito: Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Chito.

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Selection from the Mars panorama captured by NASA's Curiosity rover. (Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)

On July 20, 1976, the Viking 1 lander took the first photograph ever from the surface of Mars. The image is impressive but still fairly limited: it showcases only a small, black-and-white snapshot of the planet’s dusty, rock-laden ground. Now, almost 50 years later, NASA’s Curiosity rover has captured one of the most breathtaking panoramas of Mars, highlighting topographical details like never before.

Originally captured on February 7, 2025, the picture reveals Curiosity’s view from Mount Sharp, looking down at the floor of Gale Crater. Even though it was taken 140 million miles away from Earth, the scene is surprisingly familiar, reminiscent of the desert vistas found in the southwestern United States. The landscape is dramatic, desolate, and yet magical, with what appears to be a rugged mountain range punctuating the arid sky ahead. In reality, however, these mountains are actually the rim of Gale Crater, which was created by an ancient asteroid impact billions of years ago.

NASA recently unveiled the panorama on X (formerly Twitter) with a 30-second video, gently sweeping across the entire landscape. Though the image itself is impressive, the video offers an opportunity to truly study the crater and its singular characteristics. To enhance this sense of immersion, NASA also adjusted the panorama’s color to “match the lighting conditions as the human eye would see them on Earth,” according to a statement.

“Enjoy this recent look, courtesy of Curiosity, at the view from the slopes of Mt. Sharp, with the distant rim of Gale Crater on the horizon,” NASA wrote in the post. “You can imagine the quiet, thin wind, or maybe even the waves of a long-gone lake lapping an ancient shore.”

Mount Sharp has long been studied by NASA, given that it contains several distinct layers, all of which were formed in different eras of Martian history. The area, too, is rich in salty minerals, most likely left behind as the planet’s water steadily dried up.

“By studying each layer, the rover’s team can learn more about how the Martian environment changed over time from a warmer, wetter, and more Earthlike world to the freezing desert it is today,” NASA explains.

After its stop at Mount Sharp and Gale Crater, Curiosity has since traveled somewhere else, namely a “boxwork” region, which scientists believe may have formed when minerals from Mars’ last trickles of water seeped and hardened into the rock below. Previously, Curiosity was slated to arrive at the area in late fall.

“We’re actually at the edge of it now,” Andrew Good, a NASA spokesperson, told Mashable.

To learn more about the Curiosity rover and its upcoming destinations, visit the NASA website.

NASA’s Curiosity rover recently captured a striking panorama of Mars, showcasing the planet’s unique landscape with impressive detail.

The full panorama of Mars captured by NASA's Curosity rover. (Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS)

30 seconds on Mars. Enjoy this recent look, courtesy of @MarsCuriosity, at the view from the slopes of Mt. Sharp, with the distant rim of Gale Crater on the horizon. You can imagine the quiet, thin wind, or maybe even the waves of a long-gone lake lapping an ancient shore. pic.twitter.com/XEj3ZKgqc7

— NASA Mars (@NASAMars) May 20, 2025

NASA: Website | Instagram

Sources: Curiosity Looks Downslope From the Sulfate Unit; A NASA rover sent home an immersive Mars panorama. Watch the video.

All photos via the NASA Press Office.

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READ: Check Out This Striking, Highly Detailed Panorama Taken From the Surface of Mars

 

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Una publicación compartida por 董书畅 (@shuchang_dong)

Red sprites are as beautiful as they are elusive. These large-scale flashes occur up high in the sky, above thunderstorm clouds. As such, it is nearly impossible to see them with the naked eye from the ground. However, experienced astrophotographers have devoted themselves to study this phenomenon enough to be at the right place at the right time to capture them. One such photographer is Dong Shuchang, who recently captured a red sprite over Tibet.

As opposed to regular lightning, red sprites are shot up towards the atmosphere instead of downward toward Earth. Its signature color is the result of nitrogen reacting with electrical discharges up above. This particular red sprite made an appearance between May 31 and June 1.

Since these lights show up at altitudes between 25 and 50 miles, Shuchang took to a 16,404-foot elevation vantage point on the Tibetan plateau. The footage, shot at 120 frames per second, shows these red, jellyfish-shaped “fireworks” shining over the night sky in the Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region, near the Shannan City area in southwest China.

“I checked the weather forecast for May 31 and the early hours of June 1 in advance,” Shuchang said in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV). “After analyzing the satellite imagery, I was confident that the weather would not interfere with the shoot, so I made my way to the mountains of Shannan to find a clear vantage point.”

The beauty of the scene didn't escape the general public. The video of the red sprite has gone viral on Weibo, one of the biggest social media platforms in China, where it has 1.7 million views. “Sprite lightning is formed in the middle layer of the atmosphere and is the result of electromagnetic waves generated by lightning strikes,” Shuchang explains in the video caption. “It exists in the air for a very short time, is elusive, and difficult to photograph.”

His footage has even aided scientists in learning more about this unique weather phenomenon. “By analyzing the parent lightning discharges, we discovered that the sprites were triggered by high-peak current positive cloud-to-ground lightning strikes within a massive mesoscale convective system,” says Professor Gaopeng Lu, who used Shuchang's footage from previous red sprites shot in 2022 to study these flashes. “This suggests that thunderstorms in the Himalayan region have the potential to produce some of the most complex and intense upper-atmospheric electrical discharges on Earth.”

Despite being only 27 years old, the astrophotographer has developed a unique ability for spotting and documenting red sprites, as well as other astronomical events. He was even named Astronomy Photographer of the Year in 2021 for his picture of an annular solar eclipse. Shuchang has also documented comets and the Milky Way over a myriad of landscapes. “I’m always looking out for the next phenomenon,” he says.

To stay up to date with his work, follow Dong Shuchang on Instagram.

Astrophotographer Dong Shuchang has studied elusive red sprites enough to always be at the right place at the right time to capture them.

 

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Una publicación compartida por 董书畅 (@shuchang_dong)

A few days ago, he documented a red sprite over Tibet.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por 董书畅 (@shuchang_dong)

Watch his thrilling footage below.

Dong Shuchang: Instagram

Sources: Rare Red Sprite ‘Stranger Things'-Like Lightning Over Tibetan Sky — Captured in 120FPS | APT; Rare Red Sprite Photographed in Tibet Dazzles Social Media; Dong Shuchang on Instagram

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READ: Rare Red Sprites Captured Lighting up the Tibetan Night Sky Like Jellyfish-Shaped Firework

“Diamond Beach Emerald Sky” by Brent Martin
“With a clear night forecast and the Milky Way core returning for 2025, I set out to explore the Great Ocean Road. After a few setbacks—such as a failed composition and getting the car stuck on a sandy track—I almost gave up. However, I pushed on and found a great spot above the beach to capture the scene.
The night was full of color, with Comet C/2024 G3 Atlas and a pink aurora in the early hours, followed by the Milky Way rising amid intense green airglow near dawn. Despite the challenges, the reward of this stunning image and the memory of the view made it all worthwhile.”

For the eighth year, travel photography blog Capture the Atlas has curated its selection of the top Milky Way photographs, compiling them into the 2025 Milky Way Photographer of the Year. And for the first time, this selection includes an image from outer space, thanks to the contribution of NASA astronaut Don Pettit.

Pettit, who regularly photographs Earth from the International Space Station, contributed a striking photo of our planet. Using a star tracker, he captured golden star streaks as the ISS was in orbit. This incredible view from outer space adds a new perspective to the contest's astrophotography.

This otherworldly view was one of over 6,000 entries from photographers in 16 countries. The final list includes breathtaking images from locations around the globe, including Chile, New Zealand, Taiwan, Yemen, and the United States, and shows just how powerful the Milky Way is, no matter where you stand on Earth.

Capture the Atlas editor Dan Zafra, known for his own incredible astrophotography, curates the list based on image quality, the story behind the scene, and the overall inspiration it provides. He also seeks to balance images, including both recognizable and remote locations that are rarely photographed. Several images also incorporate other celestial events, such as comets, meteor showers, and a lunar eclipse.

Scroll down to see our favorite 15 images of the Milky Way and then head over to Capture the Atlas to see the full list and captions.

The 2025 Milky Way Photographer of the Year list includes a striking photo from outer space.

“One in a Billion ” by Don Pettit
“I float in the Cupola, looking out the seven windows composing this faceted transparent jewel. While my mind is submerged in contemplation, my eyes gorge on the dim reflections from a nighttime Earth. There are over eight billion people that call this planet home. There are seven of us that can say the same for Space Station. What a privilege it is to be here. I used an orbital star tracker to take out the star streak motion from orbit.”

“A Sea of Lupines” by Max Inwood
“The annual lupine bloom in New Zealand is spectacular, with fields of colorful flowers stretching across the Mackenzie Basin. This region, located in the heart of the South Island, is renowned for its dark skies, making the scene even more surreal at night.
I had to wait until the early hours of the morning for the wind to calm down, but eventually everything became still, and I was able to capture this image. Above the flowers, you can see the band of the outer Milky Way, alongside the constellations Orion, Gemini, and the Pleiades. Joining them are the bright planets Jupiter and Mars, with a strong display of green airglow visible along the horizon.”

“Lake RT5” by Tanay Das
“Lake RT5 is a pristine alpine lake nestled at 5,700 meters above sea level. My passion has always been to capture the unseen Himalayas in their rawest form. This journey led us through rugged mountains and glaciers, where we discovered several unknown alpine lakes and named them along the way.
We endured multiple nights in extremely cold, unpredictable conditions. Due to the ever-changing weather and limited time, I used a blue hour blend to achieve a cleaner foreground. Since my campsite was right beside the lake, I was able to capture the tracked sky shot from the exact same position later that night.
I was in awe of the incredible airglow illuminating the Himalayan skies. The raw image had even more intense colors, but I toned them down to stay true to reality. This was undoubtedly one of the most unforgettable nights I’ve ever spent in the heart of the Himalayas.”

“Winter Fairy Tale” by Uroš Fink
“Undoubtedly my wildest location this winter: Austria’s Dobratsch mountain! If I had to describe it in two words, it would be a “Winter Fairytale”!
Despite a 5 a.m. work shift, I drove to Austria by 1 p.m., worried about my fitness and lack of sleep. After a 2-hour hike through the snow with a 22kg backpack and sled, the stunning views kept me energized.
Arriving at the cabin (where I had planned my winter panorama two years ago), I was greeted by untouched snow, completely free of footprints. I spent the evening exploring compositions, and this is my favorite: a panorama of the winter Milky Way with reddish nebulae, stretching above Dobratsch Mountain.
I captured the Zodiacal light and even the Gegenschein glow! The sky was magnificent, with Jupiter and Mars shining brightly. In the foreground is the cabin, where I spent 3 freezing hours (-12°C), waiting for the perfect shot of the Milky Way’s core. It turned out exactly as I envisioned—a true winter fairytale.”

From over 6,000 images that were entered, 25 Milky Way photographs were deemed high enough quality to make the list.

“Starlit Ocean: A Comet, the setting Venus, the Milky Way, and McWay Falls” by Xingyang Cai
“Capturing this image was a race against time, light, and distance. With Comet Tsuchinshan–ATLAS (C/2023 A3) making its approach, I knew I had a rare opportunity to see it with the naked eye before it faded into the cosmos. I embarked on a five-hour round trip to McWay Falls in Big Sur, one of the few Bortle 2 locations accessible along California’s coast. My window was narrow—just six precious minutes of true darkness before the Moon rose and washed out the night sky. But those six minutes were unforgettable.
In that brief span, the Milky Way arched high above the Pacific, Venus shimmered as it set over the ocean, and the comet streaked quietly across the sky—a celestial visitor gracing this iconic coastal cove. The soft cascade of McWay Falls and the stillness of the starlit ocean created a surreal harmony between Earth and sky. It was one of the most vivid and humbling naked-eye comet sightings I’ve ever experienced—an alignment of cosmic elements that felt both fleeting and eternal.”

“The Wave” by Luis Cajete
“One of my greatest passions is visiting stunning natural wonders and paying my personal tribute to them through night photography. This image was taken at Coyote Buttes, a geological masterpiece located in Arizona, where special access permits are required to protect it for future generations.
Despite the intense cold during those days, it was incredibly exciting to visit the great sandstone wave for the first time and enjoy its spectacular shapes and colors.
To capture this 360° panorama, I planned for the Milky Way and focused on creating a balanced photographic composition. It’s hard to put into words the beauty of this place, but I hope my photograph manages to convey it.”

“Un Destello en la Oscuridad” by Luis Merino
“In my quest to find new places to practice this beautiful hobby, I discovered this corner, which, with a touch of light, transformed into a dreamlike scene. The lighting highlighted every detail: a stream carved by water, which usually flows forcefully after heavy rains, was now a peaceful calm; and although the Milky Way didn’t fully unfold, the galactic center appeared framed like a radiant beacon in the vastness of the night sky. The gentle croak of the frogs provided the natural soundtrack to this experience, making each moment feel unique and filled with magic.
This experience taught me that light has the power to transform the ordinary into a scene of wonder, revealing nuances that would otherwise go unnoticed.”

“Galaxy of the Stone Array” by Alvin Wu
“The Milky Way hangs over the sea. The night sky of the Southern Hemisphere condenses the poetry of Li Bai, a poet from China’s Tang Dynasty, into eternity. On a clear night, the Milky Way pours down over the sea like a waterfall from the sky, intertwining with the atmospheric glow on the water’s surface.”

“Double Milky Way Arch Over Matterhorn” by Angel Fux
“This image captures the rare Double Arch Milky Way, where both the Winter Milky Way (with Orion rising) and the Summer Milky Way (with the Galactic Center) appear in the same night—a seamless transition between seasons.
Taken at 3,200 meters in the heart of winter, the night was brutally cold, testing both my endurance and equipment. This is a time blend, preserving the real positions of both arches by combining frames taken hours apart, with the foreground captured at dawn for the best detail.
Zermatt and the Matterhorn have been photographed countless times, but I aimed to create something truly unique—an image captured under conditions few would attempt. I’m incredibly proud of the effort and patience it took to bring this vision to life.”

“Glimpse of colors” by Tomas Slovinsky
“Nature is truly amazing, creating breathtaking scenery that leaves us speechless. I took this picture during my last astrophotography workshop in Crete. With pleasant temperatures around 25°C, I spent my time lying on the beach, listening to the sound of the waves, and gazing at the sky, completely free from light pollution.
The sky was covered in thousands of stars, with the Milky Way reflecting on the surface of the sea—an experience that felt like a dream. Even the airglow was visible to the naked eye. Thanks to the camera, all the beautiful colors came to life.”

“Universo de Sal” by Alejandra Heis
“Some time ago, I set out to travel across my country, Argentina, and visit its most iconic places—but I wanted to show them in a different way. I believe I haven’t truly experienced a place until I see it at night. Nighttime feels more intimate, mysterious, and adventurous—a moment when the senses sharpen and you connect with your surroundings in a deeper way.
Salinas Grandes was one of those places I needed to capture at night. Sitting at about 3,500 meters above sea level, spending the night there was a real challenge. As night fell, I ventured deep into the vast salt flats, reaching the ponds where salt is extracted. Suddenly, the wind calmed and the air grew heavy, creating a strange yet captivating atmosphere. The sky put on an incredible show—the Milky Way perfectly positioned, airglow coloring each horizon in different shades. I couldn’t have asked for more. I allowed myself time to take the photo and simply soak in the beauty of nature’s gift.”

Selections include both remote locations and well-known astrophotography spots.

“Cosmic Fire” by Sergio Montúfar
“On the early morning of June 2, 2024, I summited Acatenango Volcano for the first time, hoping to witness the fiery beauty of the neighboring Volcan de Fuego against the Milky Way’s backdrop. That night, the volcano was incredibly active—each thunderous explosion reverberated in my chest, while glowing lava illuminated the dark slopes. Above, the Milky Way stretched diagonally across the sky, a mesmerizing band of stars contrasting with the chaos below. As the volcano erupted, the ash plume rose vertically, forming an acute angle of about 45 degrees with the galaxy’s diagonal path, creating a stunning visual contrast between Earth’s fury and the cosmos’ serenity.
Capturing this required a fast, wide-angle lens (f/2.8), an ISO of 3200, and a 10-second exposure to balance the volcanic glow with the starlight. The challenge was timing the shot during a new moon and aligning the right moment for the Milky Way to cross the frame next to the volcano. I used Lightroom as the editor. This image is special for its storytelling—the raw power of Volcan de Fuego meeting the tranquil expanse of the galaxy.”

“Boot Arch Perseids” by Mike Abramyan
“The Perseid Meteor Shower occurs every August, raining down hundreds of meteors over a few nights. In 2024, I had planned to photograph it from the Canadian Rockies, but wildfires forced me to change my plans at the last minute. After checking wildfire maps, I found a safe haven in the Eastern Sierra Nevada.
After three full nights of capturing meteors, I created this image. Sitting on the rock is my friend Arne, who often joins me on these adventures, gazing up at the magnificent core of our galaxy. Each meteor is painstakingly aligned to its true location in the night sky. The final depiction shows all the meteors I captured, combined into one frame—as if the Earth hadn’t been rotating and all the meteors had fallen at once.”

“Blosoom” by Ethan Su
“After three years of waiting, the Yushan alpine rhododendrons are finally in bloom once again on Taiwan’s 3,000-meter-high Hehuan Mountain. On this special night, distant clouds helped block city light pollution, revealing an exceptionally clear view of the Milky Way. A solar flare from active region AR3664 reached Earth that evening, intensifying the airglow and adding an otherworldly touch to the sky.
Together, these rare natural events created a breathtaking scene—vivid blooms glowing softly beneath a star-filled sky.”

Capture The Atlas: Website | Instagram | Facebook 

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Capture the Atlas.

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A post shared by Andrew McCarthy (@cosmic_background)

When astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy attended the April 28 launch of the Project Kuiper (KA-01), he expected it to be an unforgettable event—and he was certainly correct. Before the rocket shot off into the evening, McCarthy had set up his Sony a7 II in a restricted area near the launchpad. In an Instagram post, he admitted that this was the first time he’d gotten his photography gear that close to a launch. It was precisely that proximity that wrecked his Rokinon 14mm lens.

“Unfortunately, for this type of shot, it’s not possible to protect the lens with any additional filters—like a UV or polarizing filter—so the optical element remains exposed to the hydrochloric acid that forms from the plume, which pits and destroys the lens,” McCarthy told PetaPixel.

Even so, McCarthy said that this kind of set-up “won’t be my last.” To capture this remarkable photograph, McCarthy first triggered the camera shutter by using a MiOPS+ set to “listen for the sound of the engines starting,” while he was watching from a few miles away for safety. He also intentionally underexposed the image when snapping it so that the intensity of the rocket’s plume wouldn’t interfere with or diminish other colors.

The resulting image is as dynamic and bright as the scene it hopes to illustrate. A dramatic cluster of dust billows beneath the rocket as it darts into a dark-blue sky, the clouds fluffy and sheer in the background.

“I sacrificed a camera lens to get this shot,” McCarthy wrote on Instagram. “Was it worth it?”

“Worth it,” one user commented. “Photographers will spend way more on a flight, hotel, and all of the costs in traveling to an exotic location, and many times NOT get the shot. You got the shot!”

This photograph, however, won’t be available as a print. In order to access the restricted area, McCarthy had to get permission from the Space Force and United Launch Alliance (ULA), requiring extensive background checks. As part of this agreement, he isn’t legally allowed to sell prints of this specific shot.

“While these shots won’t be available in print, I will hopefully be fine tuning my process and have even better photos available after the next one,” McCarthy says.

To learn more about the photographer and his work, visit Andrew McCarthy’s website and follow him on Instagram.

Astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy’s camera lens got destroyed while snapping a close-range picture of the Project Kuiper launch on April 28.

 

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A post shared by Andrew McCarthy (@cosmic_background)

Andrew McCarthy: Website | Instagram

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Una publicación compartida por Don Pettit (@astro_pettit)

Astronaut Don Pettit recently returned to Earth, having accumulated 590 days in space. At age 70, he is considered NASA's oldest active astronaut, and the third oldest to ever be in orbit. Across his four space missions, Pettit has shown a knack for orbital astrophotography—that is, images of space shot from orbit aboard the ISS. Just a couple of weeks before flying home, he captured a bright green aurora from his unique perspective.

If you think the view of an aurora from the ground is mesmerizing, imagine seeing it as it glimmers and glides around the curvature of Earth. Pettit's footage, which he posted to social media, shows a green glow over the Southern Hemisphere. “Aurora pass last night while @iss orbit path was between Antartica and Australia,” he captioned his breathtaking view. A different clip, taken closer to the Earth's surface, shows the Aurora Australis as “vaporous turbulence.”

While Pettit was shooting this spectacular footage, astronaut Jannicke Mikkelsen was on the first human spaceflight over Earth’s polar regions aboard the private FRAM2 Space Mission. As such, she got an even rarer view of this phenomenon. Pettit shared that he was excited to see her images too, and Mikkelsen promised to post them after her return home. “These videos are BIG in file size and we look forwards [sic] to sharing them with you post-mission splashdown,” she wrote.

As for Pettit, the images of the Aurora Australis are just some of his many incredible videos and pictures. Earlier this year, he captured comet Atlas C2024-G3, a crescent moon over the horizon, and a star field time exposure featuring Andromeda M31. From time to time, he also looked down on our home planet, snapping images of the Betsiboka River in Madagascar, the Strait of Gibraltar, and Hong Kong at night.

Just before returning home, he posted possibly the most moving of all his photographs—a self-portrait alongside the camera that allowed him to capture all these images. “Tomorrow I once again become an Earthling,” he wrote, bidding goodbye to the ISS. “What an adventure this mission has been.”

To stay up to date with the astronaut, you can follow Don Pettit on Instagram.

Just a couple of weeks before flying home, astronaut Don Pettit captured a bright green aurora from his unique perspective aboard the ISS.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Don Pettit (@astro_pettit)

Earlier this year, Pettit also captured comet Atlas C2024-G3…

 

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Una publicación compartida por Don Pettit (@astro_pettit)

…and a star field time exposure featuring Andromeda M31.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Don Pettit (@astro_pettit)

He also posted possibly the most moving of all his photographs—a self-portrait alongside the camera that allowed him to capture all these breathtaking images.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Don Pettit (@astro_pettit)

Don Pettit: Instagram | X

Sources: Don Pettit on Instagram, Jannicke Mikkelsen on X; NASA's Don Pettit, 2 cosmonaut crewmates, wrap up seven-month space station visit

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