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PHOTOGRAPHER TRAVELS 3000 MILES TO CAPTURE INCREDIBLE SHOT OF SATURN PEEKING BEHIND THE MOON

Published: 2024-09-28 16:39:41 Last Updated: 2024-09-30 09:53:57

Any astrophotographer will find lunar occultations fascinating, as the Moon appears to pass in front of a celestial body. When a planet is involved, they're especially exciting, which is why astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy traveled almost 3,000 miles to witness them. McCarthy took a plane all the way to Hawaii in order to secure the ideal location for taking pictures of Saturn's recent lunar eclipse.
McCarthy traveled to Mauna Kea, not just any old place in Hawaii. As the highest point in Hawaii, this dormant volcano is regarded as one of the best spots on Earth to see astronomical events. This is demonstrated by the 13 different telescopes that 11 different countries have built there. McCarthy, who has previously shot other occultations, is well-prepared for this kind of situation, but he wasn't prepared for his health to almost ruin his plans.
McCarthy told PetaPixel, "This has always been a bucket list shot for me, and it nearly didn't happen." "I had the flu two days before the event, and venturing up to Mauna Kea's thinner air meant risking a much more serious illness."

Never one to let anything stop him from taking pictures, McCarthy persevered and managed to get the desired shot, even though it made his flu worse. He intends to go back there later when he's recovered enough to make better use of the area's dry climate, high elevation, and dark skies. Whether ill or not, McCarthy managed to get a striking picture. He was able to put together a 107-panel mosaic that he calls Saturn's Ingress after taking 200,000 pictures. You can zoom in and still see Saturn's iconic rings peeking out from behind the moon thanks to this incredibly clear capture. McCarthy is selling a limited-edition print on his website if you adore his picture and would like to hang it in your house.

Article Tags: Viral Moon Astrophotography Saturn