{"id":787444,"date":"2026-09-30T13:02:17","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T13:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/787444\/"},"modified":"2026-09-30T13:02:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T13:02:17","slug":"photographer-snapped-multiple-1-8000-sec-exposures-of-venus-disappearing-behind-the-moon-to-create-a-bright-pearl-in-the-sky-winning-major-astrophotography-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/787444\/","title":{"rendered":"Photographer snapped multiple 1\/8000 sec exposures of Venus disappearing behind the Moon to create a \u201cbright pearl\u201d in the sky, winning major astrophotography award"},"content":{"rendered":"

This year\u2019s ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition saw some truly unique images, perhaps none more so than the winner of the \u201cOur Moon\u201d category.<\/p>\n

Taken by Czech astrophotographer Petr Horalek<\/a>, the image depicts a rare lunar occultation of Venus, as the Moon passed in front of the planet for roughly one hour during a September afternoon last year.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most beautiful moment was when Venus had just started to disappear behind the crescent,\u201d Horalek told the photography competition organizers. \u201cIt looked like a bright pearl on the lunar limb.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"Lunar
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Venusian Pearl on the Moon \u2013 winner “Our Moon” category 2026 ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year (Image credit: Petr Horalek)<\/p>\n

Petr Horalek’s gear and settings <\/p>\n

Sky-Watcher 10\u2033\u00a0FlexTube Dobsonian telescope<\/a>Nikon Z6 III<\/a>f\/5 \/ ISO 250 \/ multiple 1\/8,000sec exposuresLocation: \u00dastupky,\u00a0Se\u010d, Pardubice Region, Czechia, September 19, 2025<\/p>\n

To capture the creative frame, Horalek snapped multiple 1\/8000 sec exposures as the bright planet began to move out of sight.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt was a big challenge to find both objects in the sky and produce good shots of this unusual view,\u201d he explained. \u201cFortunately, the weather was perfect and I was able to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"Plato
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Plato and Vallis Alpes \u2013 runner-up “Our Moon” category 2026 ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year (Image credit: Raul Cantemir)<\/p>\n

Raul Cantemir’s gear and settings <\/p>\n

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Custom DocTelescope 16\u2033\u00a0f\/4.5 truss NewtonianGreatStar ADCAPM 1.25\u2033\u00a0coma-correcting 2.7x Barlow lensSky-Watcher EQ8-R mountZWO ASI178MC camera4,860mm \/ f\/4.5 (without Barlow lens) \/ f\/12.2 (with Barlow lens) \/ 164-sec exposureLocation: Darmstadt, Hesse, Germany, August 13, 2025<\/p>\n

Two other impressive images were also commended in the \u201cOur Moon\u201d category this year.<\/p>\n

Runner-up Raul Cantemir<\/a>, from Germany, captured an \u201cexceptionally detailed\u201d close-up of the prominent crater Plato, which measures approximately 101 km (63 miles) in diameter.<\/p>\n

Cantemir explained that the floor of the crater is covered in solidified basalt, a sign of \u201cancient volcanic activity\u201d.<\/p>\n

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\"Pythagoras
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Pythagoras Crater \u2013 highly commended “Our Moon” category 2026 ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year (Image credit: Tom Williams)<\/p>\n

British astrophotographer, Tom Williams<\/a>, was also highly commended for his frame of Pythagoras Crater, another prominent impact crater located near the northwestern limb of the Moon.<\/p>\n

Williams explained that a \u201cfavorable lunar phase\u201d meant that the central mountainous rise within the main crater was clearly visible.<\/p>\n

The ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year is the world\u2019s largest astrophotography competition, hosted by the Royal Observatory Greenwich, London.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s overall winner was Ali Alobaidly (Kuwait) for his depiction of the rarely photographed Shark Nebula<\/a>, snagging him \u00a310,000 (approximately $13,000 \/ AU$19,000) along with the competition accolade. Category winners took home \u00a31,500 (approximately $2,000 \/ AU$2,800).<\/p>\n

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