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The Irish Sun
20-07-2025
- Science
- The Irish Sun
From remarkable ‘red lightning sprite' to once-in-a-lifetime comet – 7 breathtaking snaps captured by Nasa astronauts
FROM roiling storms, rare comets and volcanic eruptions, there is lots to see aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Fortunately, astronauts are not only equipped with suites of scientific instruments, but cameras too - so we at home can enjoy the view as well. Advertisement 7 A red lightning sprite was captured during a storm near the Texas-Mexico border Credit: Nichole Ayers/NASA Lightning sprite Nasa astronaut Nichole Ayers caught a phenomenon known as a sprite near the Texas-Mexico border from the ISS, some 250 miles above Earth. 'Just. Wow. As we went over Mexico and the US this morning, I caught this sprite," Ayers wrote on X earlier this month. "Sprites are TLEs or Transient Luminous Events, that happen above the clouds and are triggered by intense electrical activity in the thunderstorms below. "We have a great view above the clouds, so scientists can use these types of pictures to better understand the formation, characteristics, and relationship of TLEs to thunderstorms." Advertisement READ MORE ON SPACE Ayers snapped the picture with a Nikon Z9 using a 50mm lens (f/1.2, ¼ sec, ISO 6400) as part of a time-lapse set up in the Cupola - the domed window module on board the ISS. "It takes planning, timing, and a lot of pictures to capture such a rare phenomenon," she added. 7 Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Credit: Don Pettit/NASA 7 The icy comet seen alongside aurora Credit: SWNS Advertisement Once-in-a-lifetime comet Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS - dubbed the 'once-in-a-lifetime comet' - was photographed by Nasa astronaut Don Pettit from the ISS last autumn. Scientists at the Royal Astronomical Society dubbed it the "comet of the century" because of its brightness and rarity. Most read in Science The icy comet won't be visible on Earth again for another 80,000 years - making the sighting particularly rare. 7 These are two of Earth's most colorful upper atmospheric phenomena Credit: Nasa Advertisement Aurora meets airglow Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Tim Peake shared this snap or aurora - or Northern Lights - dancing near Earth's airglow in 2016. In his whopping 340 days in space, Kelly was able to provide some stunning images of Earth seen from above. These are two of Earth's most colorful upper atmospheric phenomena. The wavy green, red-topped wisps of aurora borealis appear to intersect the faint red-yellow band of airglow. Advertisement Though they appear at similar altitudes, aurora and airglow are different. Nighttime airglow - also known as nightglow - is a type of chemiluminescence that occurs all around the Earth, all the time. This is where light is emitted from chemical interactions between oxygen, nitrogen, and other molecules in the upper atmosphere. Auroras, on the other hand, are caused by charged solar particles colliding with Earth's atmosphere. Advertisement 7 The striking image was snapped by Nasa's Aqua satellite between June 22 and Dec. 31, 2023 Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/Wanmei Liang and Lauren Dauphin 'Devil horned' volcano While technically snapped by data visualisers at Nasa's Earth Observatory, this "devilish" Russian volcano was captured spitting out a 1,000-mile-long stream of smoke into Earth's atmosphere. The striking image was snapped by Nasa's Aqua satellite between June 22 and Dec. 31, 2023. It was during an active eruption phase of the volcano, known as Klyuchevskoy or sometimes Klyuchevskaya Sopka - an area home to more than 300 volcanoes. Advertisement The two-pronged devil horns depict twin lava flows spewing out of the volcanoes mouth. 7 Astronauts Robert Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang participate in an extravehicular activity, December 12, 2006 Credit: NASA Spacewalk The ISS has been orbiting Earth for nearly three decades, after first launching in November 1998. Astronauts have conducted 275 spacewalks since the station opened - one of the riskiest jobs an astronaut will ever undertake. Advertisement Backdropped by New Zealand and the Cook Strait in the Pacific Ocean, astronauts Robert Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang participate in an extravehicular activity, December 12, 2006. Their job was to support the construction of the orbital outpost, and proved the source of quite the stellar image. 7 False-color images combine and rearrange colour channels from multiple sources to visualise new details Credit: Don Pettit/X Ganges river The Ganges river, the world's largest river delta, was photographed in near-infrared from the ISS by Pettit. Advertisement The ISS utilises near-infrared imagery for various scientific purposes, including atmospheric studies and Earth observation. It is key to capturing images of the Earth's airglow, clouds, and other surface features during nighttime. The end result are incredible false-colour images that show Earth in a completely new light. False-color images combine and rearrange colour channels from multiple sources to visualise new details. Advertisement These details are either things that cannot be seen by the human eye - or aspects that may be obscured in true colour images, such as healthy vegetation or different soil types. All you need to know about planets in our solar system Our solar system is made up of nine planets with Earth the third closest to the Sun. But each planet has its own quirks, so find out more about them all... How old is How many moons does What colour is How far away is How big is How many moons does Does How many moons does How big is How hot is the
Scottish Sun
20-07-2025
- Science
- Scottish Sun
From remarkable ‘red lightning sprite' to once-in-a-lifetime comet – 7 breathtaking snaps captured by Nasa astronauts
The icy comet won't be visible on Earth again for another 80,000 years - making the sighting particularly rare STARRY EYED From remarkable 'red lightning sprite' to once-in-a-lifetime comet – 7 breathtaking snaps captured by Nasa astronauts Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FROM roiling storms, rare comets and volcanic eruptions, there is lots to see aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Fortunately, astronauts are not only equipped with suites of scientific instruments, but cameras too - so we at home can enjoy the view as well. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 A red lightning sprite was captured during a storm near the Texas-Mexico border Credit: Nichole Ayers/NASA Lightning sprite Nasa astronaut Nichole Ayers caught a phenomenon known as a sprite near the Texas-Mexico border from the ISS, some 250 miles above Earth. 'Just. Wow. As we went over Mexico and the US this morning, I caught this sprite," Ayers wrote on X earlier this month. "Sprites are TLEs or Transient Luminous Events, that happen above the clouds and are triggered by intense electrical activity in the thunderstorms below. "We have a great view above the clouds, so scientists can use these types of pictures to better understand the formation, characteristics, and relationship of TLEs to thunderstorms." Ayers snapped the picture with a Nikon Z9 using a 50mm lens (f/1.2, ¼ sec, ISO 6400) as part of a time-lapse set up in the Cupola - the domed window module on board the ISS. "It takes planning, timing, and a lot of pictures to capture such a rare phenomenon," she added. 7 Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Credit: Don Pettit/NASA 7 The icy comet seen alongside aurora Credit: SWNS Once-in-a-lifetime comet Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS - dubbed the 'once-in-a-lifetime comet' - was photographed by Nasa astronaut Don Pettit from the ISS last autumn. Scientists at the Royal Astronomical Society dubbed it the "comet of the century" because of its brightness and rarity. The icy comet won't be visible on Earth again for another 80,000 years - making the sighting particularly rare. 7 These are two of Earth's most colorful upper atmospheric phenomena Credit: Nasa Aurora meets airglow Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Tim Peake shared this snap or aurora - or Northern Lights - dancing near Earth's airglow in 2016. In his whopping 340 days in space, Kelly was able to provide some stunning images of Earth seen from above. These are two of Earth's most colorful upper atmospheric phenomena. The wavy green, red-topped wisps of aurora borealis appear to intersect the faint red-yellow band of airglow. Though they appear at similar altitudes, aurora and airglow are different. Nighttime airglow - also known as nightglow - is a type of chemiluminescence that occurs all around the Earth, all the time. This is where light is emitted from chemical interactions between oxygen, nitrogen, and other molecules in the upper atmosphere. Auroras, on the other hand, are caused by charged solar particles colliding with Earth's atmosphere. 7 The striking image was snapped by Nasa's Aqua satellite between June 22 and Dec. 31, 2023 Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/Wanmei Liang and Lauren Dauphin 'Devil horned' volcano While technically snapped by data visualisers at Nasa's Earth Observatory, this "devilish" Russian volcano was captured spitting out a 1,000-mile-long stream of smoke into Earth's atmosphere. The striking image was snapped by Nasa's Aqua satellite between June 22 and Dec. 31, 2023. It was during an active eruption phase of the volcano, known as Klyuchevskoy or sometimes Klyuchevskaya Sopka - an area home to more than 300 volcanoes. The two-pronged devil horns depict twin lava flows spewing out of the volcanoes mouth. 7 Astronauts Robert Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang participate in an extravehicular activity, December 12, 2006 Credit: NASA Spacewalk The ISS has been orbiting Earth for nearly three decades, after first launching in November 1998. Astronauts have conducted 275 spacewalks since the station opened - one of the riskiest jobs an astronaut will ever undertake. Backdropped by New Zealand and the Cook Strait in the Pacific Ocean, astronauts Robert Curbeam and Christer Fuglesang participate in an extravehicular activity, December 12, 2006. Their job was to support the construction of the orbital outpost, and proved the source of quite the stellar image. 7 False-color images combine and rearrange colour channels from multiple sources to visualise new details Credit: Don Pettit/X Ganges river The Ganges river, the world's largest river delta, was photographed in near-infrared from the ISS by Pettit. The ISS utilises near-infrared imagery for various scientific purposes, including atmospheric studies and Earth observation. It is key to capturing images of the Earth's airglow, clouds, and other surface features during nighttime. The end result are incredible false-colour images that show Earth in a completely new light. False-color images combine and rearrange colour channels from multiple sources to visualise new details. These details are either things that cannot be seen by the human eye - or aspects that may be obscured in true colour images, such as healthy vegetation or different soil types. All you need to know about planets in our solar system Our solar system is made up of nine planets with Earth the third closest to the Sun. But each planet has its own quirks, so find out more about them all... How old is Earth? Plus other facts on our planet How many moons does Mercury have? What colour is Venus? How far away is Mars to Earth? And other facts on the red planet How big is Jupiter? How many moons does Saturn have? Does Uranus have rings? How many moons does Neptune have? How big is Pluto? How hot is the Sun?
![[Photos] How Genting Highlands' Nature Trails Are Becoming Malaysia's Hottest Eco-Destination](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.therakyatpost.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F06%2FUntitled49.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
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Rakyat Post
04-06-2025
- Science
- Rakyat Post
[Photos] How Genting Highlands' Nature Trails Are Becoming Malaysia's Hottest Eco-Destination
Subscribe to our FREE When you think of Genting Highlands, casinos and theme parks probably spring to mind. But at the Genting Nature Adventures (GNA)'s Conference of Experts and Collaborators 2025, held at Resorts World Awana, a different kind of excitement emerged through the partnership with Nikon, focusing on wildlife documentation. The conference successfully brought together experts from various fields, combining scientific research with nature photography and exploration, to highlight the significance of Genting Highlands beyond its famous entertainment venues. A significant scientific highlight was the presentation of The remarkable discovery was made through a collaborative effort: Genting Nature Adventures Department Manager Eddie Chan first spotted this tiny, otherworldly plant along a quiet nature trail, and The species was named 'limkokthayi' in honour of Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman of the Genting Group, recognising his deep involvement in developing facilities essential to preserving the biodiversity assets of Genting Highlands. Due to the Critically Endangered status of the non-photosynthetic plant, as classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a tissue culture laboratory is currently being set up to cultivate more T. limkokthayi, thereby ensuring its preservation for future generations. This discovery, documented in the scientific literature, not only highlights the region's previously unexplored biodiversity potential but also demonstrates how corporate responsibility, scientific expertise, and local knowledge can work together to advance our understanding of Malaysia's natural heritage. Pioneering Partnership in Nature Documentation The significance of preserving such natural heritage was further emphasised by an impressive lineup of speakers who shared their unique perspectives on nature exploration and documentation. Among the notable speakers was Despite facing severe challenges, including losing eight fingers to frostbite during his climbing career, his presence added a unique perspective on human endurance and the exploration of nature. , Dr. Ignatius Augustine, a medical doctor specialising in Internal Medicine, showcased his wildlife photography skills with stunning captures of the local avian fauna, including the Great Hornbill, through the Nikon Z9, demonstrating how modern photography equipment can aid in wildlife documentation and conservation efforts. Meanwhile, As President of the Singapore Acupuncture Association, he painted a compelling picture of how our rainforests serve as living medicine cabinets, packed with plants, fungi, and herbs that have been healing people for generations. His message hit home: every acre of forest lost isn't just a blow to biodiversity – it's potentially erasing chapters from humanity's medical textbook. Young Voices, Ancient Forest: How Junior Rangers are Changing Conservation But here's where it gets really interesting. Three young eco-warriors – GNA's Junior Rangers Ziann Kok, Won Dao Her, and Ho Hayley – stole the show with presentations that had seasoned professionals taking notes. These kids aren't just cute faces in ranger vests; they're the future of conservation, backed by parents who believe nature walks beat screen time any day. The Junior Rangers program is designed for young nature enthusiasts to learn about the environment and its preservation. Using a combination of nature journals, smartphone photography, and specially designed mobile apps, they demonstrated how they track and record their observations of local flora and fauna. Their work exemplifies how the next generation is embracing both traditional observation methods and modern technology to contribute to conservation efforts. Through the Lens of Conservation The partnership between GNA and Nikon, through They've transformed the Awana Trail into what they're calling the 'Mile Long Gallery,' complete with Nikon-branded plaques marking prime photo spots. On 25 May, about 70 members of the 'This collaboration stands as a commitment to preserving nature and promoting responsible travel,' said Nikon product specialist Alex Moh. And they're backing it up with action, supporting not just this workshop but two more coming up in July and October, coinciding with The Other Side of the Mountain Under the leadership of Department Manager Eddie Chan and his partner Pat Ang, GNA is proving that Genting Highlands is more than just Malaysia's entertainment capital – it's becoming an unlikely hero in the country's conservation story. With resident scientists mapping ecosystems and executives pioneering sustainable tourism models, they're writing a new chapter in Genting's history. So next time you're heading up to Genting, maybe pack a camera alongside your entertainment plans. Those bright lights might draw you in, but it's the wild trails, hidden flowers, and soaring hornbills that'll make you want to stay. Just ask any of the Junior Rangers – they'll tell you the real treasures aren't found at the peak, but in the forests that surround them. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
2025 Milky Way photo contest features its first winning image taken from space
The winners of the 2025 Milky Way Photographer of the Year contest have been announced, highlighting epic imagery of the Milky Way from around the world, and even from above it. The contest, hosted by travel photography blog Capture the Atlas, is in its eighth year. This year, the contest received 6,000 entries from photographers of 16 different nationalities. Images spanned 25 locations around the globe, including Chile, the United States, Greece, Switzerland, Guatemala, New Zealand, Taiwan, Yemen, Chad, India, Namibia, Spain and more. Plus, an image taken from space was included in the collection for the first time. Some photos captured celestial events like a comet, a meteor shower and a lunar eclipse. Dan Zafra, the editor of Capture the Atlas, curates the annual list based on image quality, the story behind the shot and the overall inspiration it provides. Zafra says the project's goal is to inspire people to connect with the night sky and "to encourage photographers to explore and photograph the Milky Way from new angles." You can see all of the winning images at Capture the Atlas, along with tips on how and where to photograph the Milky Way. Photographer: Don Pettit Image title: One in a Billion Image location: ISS (International Space Station) Camera settings: 8 sec, F1.4, ISO 6400 Gear: Nikon Z9, Sigma 14mm F1.4. Sky Watcher modified tracker Caption: 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. Photographer: Petr Horálek Image title: Tololo Lunar Eclipse Image location: Cerro Tololo Observatory, Chile Camera settings: ISO 8000, 81 x 10 sec (single exposures stitched to panorama). Moon is result of HDR work. Gear: Canon Ra, Sigma Art 35mm F1.8 Caption: On March 14, 2025, a total lunar eclipse occurred, especially visible over the Americas and the Pacific Ocean. I was fortunate to observe this particular eclipse from the NSF Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile. You can see how epic the sky was during totality, as the Moon darkened enough for the majestic Milky Way, the faint belt of Zodiacal Light, and prominent airglow to stand out. Photographer: Mike Abramyan Image title: Boot Arch Perseids Image location: Alabama Hills, CA, USA Camera settings: Sky: Mosaic of 9 images at 50mm, 92 sec, F2, ISO 400; Foreground: Mosaic of 4 images at 50mm, 92 sec, F2.8, ISO 400; Meteors: 14mm, 15 sec, F1.8, ISO 400 Gear: Sony A7IV Astromodified, Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM, Benro Polaris, Leofoto LS-324C, Sony A7IV, Sony 14mm 1.8 GM Caption: 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. Photographer: Benjamin Barakat Image title: Bottle Tree Paradise Image location: Socotra, Yemen Camera settings: Foreground (blue hour): 10 sec, F8, ISO 400; Sky: 5x 120 sec, F2.0, ISO 400 Gear: Sony A7IV, Sony 14mm F1.8, Sunwayfoto T2840CK, MSM Nomad Caption: Socotra is one of my favorite places on Earth, but when it comes to a specific location, this one stands out. It doesn't have an official name, as it's not a destination for the few fortunate tourists who visit Socotra. After shooting there for the past four years and scouting the island, I've discovered hidden gems like this one, which I call Bottle Tree Paradise. Bottle trees are unique to Socotra, a result of the island's long isolation from the mainland. This separation allowed them to evolve distinctive features, such as their water-storing, bottle-shaped trunks, which help them survive Socotra's harsh, dry climate. They are believed to have originated from ancient plant species that adapted to the island's unique environment over millions of years. Photographer: Angel Fux Image title: Double Milky Way Arch Over Matterhorn Image location: Zermatt, Switzerland Camera settings: Both arches share the same Exif: 20mm, F5.6, 127 sec, ISO 2500; Foreground / Landscape: 15.5mm, F5, 1/5 sec, ISO 800 Gear: Nikon Z6 Astromodified (for the sky part), NIKKOR Z 20mm F1.8, Nikon Z8 (for the landscape part), NIKKOR Z 14-24mm F2.8, Benro Polaris Astro Kit, Peak Design travel tripod Caption: 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. Photographer: Pablo Ruiz Image title: Valle de los Cactus Image location: San Pedro de Atacama, Chile Camera settings: Sky: 9 x 240 sec, F2.8, ISO 800, 14mm; Foreground: 9 x 120 sec, F2.8, ISO 2500, 14mm Gear: Nikon D810, Nikon Z6 A, Nikkor 14-24 F2.8 ,Rollei Gamma, Sky Watcher Star Adventurer Caption: A panoramic shot of the Milky Way in a remote area of the Atacama Cactus Valley, known for its large concentration of cactus plants. I love this place with its countless possibilities. The panorama was taken just as the galactic center began to rise, with the spectacular Gum Nebula visible on the right. It was an especially bright night with a breathtaking sky. The valley isn't easy to navigate, but it's always worth trying to find new compositions in such stunning locations beneath the night sky. Photographer: Sergio Montúfar Image title: Cosmic Fire Image location: Volcán Acatenango, Guatemala Camera settings: 10 sec, F2.8, ISO 3200 Gear: Canon 6d Astromodified, Samyang 24mm F1.4, Sirui tripod Caption: 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. Photographer: Max Inwood Image title: A Sea of Lupines Image location: Lake Tekapo, New Zealand Camera settings: Sky: 30 sec, F2.0, ISO 3200; Foreground: 30 sec, F2.4, ISO 6400 Gear: Canon 6D Astromodified, Sigma 28mm F1.4 Art, Samyang 14mm F1.4 XP, iOption SkyGuider Pro Caption: 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. Photographer: Brent Martin Image title: Diamond Beach Emerald Sky Image location: Great Ocean Road, Australia Camera settings: Sky: 13 frames x 3 rows, @ 20mm, F3.5, ISO 1600, 60 sec tracked exposures; Foreground: 13 frames x 2 rows, @ 20mm, F2.5, ISO 1600, 60 sec exposures. Gear: Sony A7III Astromodified, Sony 20mm F1.8 G, Sky-watcher Star Adventurer 2i Caption: 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. Photographer: Ethan Su Image title: Blossom Image location: Hehuan Mountain Dark Sky Park, Taiwan Camera settings: Sky: 1 row tracked panorama at F2, 90sec, ISO 800; Foreground: 2 row panorama and focus stack, F2.8, 60 sec, ISO 6400; 65 images in total. Gear: Caption: 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. Photographer: Rositsa Dimitrova Image title: The Night Guardians Image location: Easter Island, Chile Camera settings: Blend of 2 shots: foreground: 88 sec, F3.5, ISO 3200; sky: 20 sec, F2.0, ISO 2000 Gear: Sony A7iii Astromodified, Sony GM 14mm F1.8 Caption: Easter Island had been on my bucket list for a long time, and it once seemed almost impossible to reach. On our first night there, the weather forecast looked promising, so we decided to go ahead with the tour our group had booked 4–5 months earlier. However, Rapa Nui sits in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, where the weather is notoriously unpredictable. When we woke up at 3 a.m. in our hotel, the sky was completely covered in clouds. Still, we decided to take the risk, knowing the forecast for the next few nights was even worse. An hour later, we were frantically photographing the statues at Rano Raraku—the quarry where nearly all of the island's 900 statues were carved—when the sky suddenly began to clear. By 5 a.m., it was completely clear, and we had less than two hours to capture all the shots we wanted. We felt incredibly lucky to be in the right place at the right time. Photographer: Kavan Chay Image title: Evolution of Stars Image location: Otago, New Zealand Camera settings: Sky RGB: 4 frames x 3 rows, each shot at 40mm, F1.8, ISO 1250, 50 second exposures; Sky (Rho region): Stack of 10 frames, each shot at 40mm, F1.8, ISO 1250, 60 second exposures; Foreground: 4 frames x 3 rows, each shot at 40mm, F4, ISO 2000, 60 second exposures. Gear: Nikon Z7 (astromodified), Sigma Art 40mm F1.4, Benro GX-35 ballhead, Sirui AM-254 tripod legs, Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Pro 2i Caption: The first image I captured from this spot is the one I feel truly kickstarted my astrophotography journey years ago. It was the first time I shot a tracked panorama using a 'longer' focal length lens (50mm). The set of sea stacks provided a prominent foreground subject facing the right direction, and being a local spot relatively free of light pollution, it was the perfect location to capture the Milky Way core. It felt fitting to try again with a few extra years of experience and an astro-modified camera, which allows for easier capture of hydrogen-alpha-rich regions of the sky (like the reddish nebulae around Zeta Ophiuchi, as seen in the image). The years of experience certainly made panoramic shooting and editing easier, though the shoot wasn't without its challenges. I managed to drop a tiny screw adapter in the dark, so I had to improvise a quick solution to make use of the star tracker. With a dying headlamp and the mysteries of wildlife lurking in the dark, all while the tide rapidly rose, it felt like enough adventure for a weekday night. Photographer: Uroš Fink Image title: Winter Fairy Tale Image location: Dobratsch Nature Park, Austria Camera settings: Sky: ISO 800, F1.8, 90 sec, 8 panels, low exposure frames for brighter sky parts (30 sec) + lee soft 5 for stars (ISO 3200, F1.8, 20 sec); Foreground: ISO 1250, F2.2, 80s, 8 panels + multi exposure frames for lightning the hut (80 sec, 20 sec,10 sec,5 sec,2 sec,1 sec) Gear: Nikon Z, Sigma 20mm 1.4 Dg Dn, Megadap tze21, Fornax Lightrack 2i, Sunwayfoto t3240ck, Lee soft 5 filter for stars, Focus on star mask Caption: 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. Photographer: Vikas Chander Image title: Echiwile Arch Image location: Ennedi, Chad Camera settings: Sky Exposure: 300 sec, F2.8, ISO 800, stack of 6; Foreground exposure: 480 sec, F2.8, ISO 800, LENR, LLL; Software: Pixinsight and Photoshop Gear: Sony A7rV Ha modded, Sony 12-24 F2.8 GM, Rainbow Astro RST 135e Caption: When one first Googles information about visiting Chad, the results aren't very encouraging from a safety perspective. Nevertheless, the intrepid astrophotographer in me decided to take the chance and visit this landlocked country, specifically the Ennedi Massif in the north. Sparsely populated and completely devoid of light pollution, the three-day drive from the capital, N'Djamena, was well worth the troubles and risks involved. The region is filled with numerous rock formations, shapes, and arches, offering an abundance of options for foreground elements to frame the dramatic night skies. Seen here is a small arch in the shape of a hoof in the Ennedi region. Photographer: Xingyang Cai Image title: Starlit Ocean: A Comet, the setting Venus, the Milky Way, and McWay Falls Image location: California, USA Camera settings: Sky: Stack of 20 images, each at ISO 1600, F1.4, 4 sec; Foreground: Stack of 10 images, each at ISO 3200, F1.4, 20 sec Gear: Sony A7 III (astro-modified), Sony 14mm F1.4 Caption: 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.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
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- Yahoo
Digital Cameras Big Savings Alert: Save on Nikon, Canon, and Sony Flagship Cameras for a Limited Time, Top Camera Deals Now Live at B&H Photo
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