Astrophotos of the Week: Moon Halo, Delta Heavy Rocket’s Final Launch, and More [12-19 April]

Astrophotos of the Week: Moon Halo, Delta Heavy Rocket’s Final Launch, and More [12-19 April]

In a fresh selection of the best astrophotos of the past week, immerse yourself in the wonders of space and Earth with us! Each best astrophoto is the result of the efforts of talented amateur photographers on social media, so we congratulate them on their skill and enjoy their work!

Among them, you will find the iconic Milky Way from different corners of the Earth, an incredible Moon halo, an impressive shot of the last flight of the superheavy rocket Delta, and much more.

The astrophotographer Abhijit C Patil captured a stunning image of the Milky Way over the North California Coast. Patil described his experience of capturing this image as a journey to a hidden treasure. The beauty of the coastal landscape was worth getting wet feet while crossing a small stream. This was Patil’s first time shooting a full Northern arc Milky Way landscape, and the result is truly breathtaking.

Jason Coon, known as @JasonCoonAstro on social media, shared a captivating image of the Ghost of Cassiopeia. The veils of ionized hydrogen gas in the photo are being eroded by the intense solar wind of the massive star Gamma Cassiopeia. Coon’s photo beautifully captures the delicate and ethereal nature of this celestial phenomenon.

Chris Fotache had an awe-inspiring view of the Milky Way during a family trip to Bryce Canyon in Utah. Living on the polluted East Coast, Fotache rarely gets to see the Milky Way with the naked eye. This made the experience even more mind-boggling for him. He managed to capture a stunning shot of the Milky Way before the moonrise, creating a memorable image that showcases the natural beauty of Bryce Canyon.

@jensp24 shared an impressive photo of the M42 Nebula and Region. The author used AstroPixelProcessor and Photoshop to post-process the image, creating a stunning RGB composite of the nebula. The depth and brightness concentrated in the core of the Hercules Cluster captured by @AbelBorrasca highlight the fascinating nature of the universe.

Moon halos are always a spectacle to behold, and BN Astro Branko Nađ captured one of the biggest Moon halos he had ever seen in the magical Fanal pine forest in Madeira. Nađ spent the night in the forest, taking pictures of the stars and the Milky Way. As he waited for the moon to move out of the frame, he felt as if it was posing for him. The resulting photo is a testament to Nađ’s patience and skill as a photographer.

Saeid Parchini embarked on a journey to Damavand Peak, the highest mountain in Iran, to capture a night sky photo. After hours of driving and climbing, Parchini camped at the target location and started taking photos immediately after the Milky Way sunrise. With the use of a tracker and a 20-minute exposure, Parchini was able to capture stunning details from both the Milky Way and Mount Damavand.

Daniel Greenwood shared an awe-inspiring photo of “Endless Galaxies” captured during a trip down the Oregon Coast. The image showcases the vastness and beauty of the cosmos.

Thomas Lynch captured a historic moment in space exploration with his photo of the last launch of the Delta IV Heavy rocket. The United Launch Alliance launched the rocket from Jetty Park, Florida, on April 10th. Lynch’s photo serves as a reminder of the incredible achievements of human space exploration.

Giuseppe Fioretti’s photo of the Milky Way over Castelluccio di Norcia in central Italy adds to the charm of this picturesque village nestled in the Apennine Mountains. The Milky Way extends above the village, creating a breathtaking view.

These astrophotos serve as a reminder of the beauty and grandeur of the universe. They are a testament to the skill and passion of talented amateur photographers who capture these celestial wonders for us to enjoy. Each photo tells a unique story and invites us to appreciate the wonders of space and Earth.