{"id":222263,"date":"2025-10-13T19:49:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T19:49:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/222263\/"},"modified":"2025-10-13T19:49:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T19:49:11","slug":"astrophotographer-adds-his-adorable-cat-to-far-out-space-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/222263\/","title":{"rendered":"Astrophotographer Adds His Adorable Cat to Far Out Space Photos"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/a>Houston, we have an exposure. Photographer Andrew McCarthy got creative with his cat, Gregory, for a calendar. <\/p>\n

If there are two things people love, it\u2019s adorable cats and awesome space photos. Therefore, it makes complete sense for astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy to combine his stunning work with his adopted cat, Gregory. <\/p>\n

McCarthy is a well-known space photographer, regularly capturing jaw-dropping images<\/a> that grace the pages of PetaPixel and go viral online. But instead of heading to his backyard astrophotograpy setup or venturing into the desert<\/a>, McCarthy stayed indoors for his shoot with Gregory. <\/p>\n

\u201cGregory was a fantastic model,\u201d McCarthy tells PetaPixel. \u201cI simply covered his cat tree with black fabric and let him decide what he wanted to do while I waited patiently with a camera.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

The resulting photos see Gregory basking under McCarthy\u2019s photo of the Sun, toying with Saturn, and literally representing the solar system. The images have been compiled into a calendar, and McCarthy will share the proceeds with the rescue shelter from which he adopted Gregory. <\/p>\n

\u201cI had a bit of a brainstorm session for each photo,\u201d he says. \u201cSome were inspired by photos of Gregory, some were inspired by looking at my space photos and imagining how a cat would react to them, and taking photos of Gregory until one fit the need.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>Behind the scenes. McCarthy threw a sheet over Gregory\u2019s play tree for the photo shoot. <\/p>\n

McCarthy says he adopted Gregory after a \u201cbeloved cat\u201d passed away in November 2023. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt left a gaping hole in my heart,\u201d McCarthy says. \u201cIn September of 2024, I went to an animal shelter, telling myself I was only there to \u2018browse.\u2019 The cat portion of the shelter was filled with kittens, playing and fighting for my attention. Then, in the back of his cage, I saw Gregory. He had the saddest eyes I\u2019ve ever seen on a cat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was the oldest cat by far, and had been there over 3 months,\u201d he continues. \u201cWhile the rest of the cats had only been there for days or a week at the longest. The vet estimates him to be 4-5 years old. The shelter I got him from was in rough shape \u2014 so I\u2019m donating a big chunk of the proceeds of my calendar I made with these photos back to the shelter.\u201d <\/p>\n

\"Cats'<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>Gregory\u2019s sad eyes when he was adopted by McCarthy.<\/p>\n

McCarthy recently announced<\/a> on X that his goal was to donate $10,000 to the shelter, and he thinks he has a shot at reaching it. <\/p>\n

To purchase a Gregory calendar, head to McCarthy\u2019s website.<\/a> More of his work can be found on his Instagram<\/a>, X<\/a>, Facebook<\/a>, and website<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Image credits: All photos by Andrew McCarthy. <\/p>\n