Astrophotography

July 2, 2025

Astrophotographer Braves Scorching Heat To Take “Once in a Lifetime” Photo of ISS Transit

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.

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June 5, 2025

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

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.

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May 8, 2025

Astronaut Don Pettit Captures Bright Green Aurora From the International Space Station

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.

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