Stunning Geminid Meteor shower Photographed Over Snowy Forest Wins NASA’s APOD
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A breathtaking photograph by Czech astrophotographer Jakub Kuřák has been chosen as NASA’s Astronomy Photo of the Day (APOD) for december 15, 2024. The image, titled “Geminid Meteors over a Snowy Forest,” captures the magic of the geminid meteor shower amidst a picturesque winter landscape.
Taken near the Polish town of Szklarska Poręba on the night of December 14-15, the photo showcases over two dozen meteors streaking across the sky, appearing to originate from the constellation Gemini. The celestial display is further illuminated by a luminous, near-full moon.
Kuřák meticulously planned the shot based on the celestial arrangement, but unfavorable weather conditions forced him to travel to Poland, as the Czech side of the mountains was clouded over. He captured multiple exposures over several hours using three different cameras, then expertly combined the images to create the final masterpiece.
A Czech Triumph
This marks Kuřák’s first APOD selection, adding to a string of Czech successes in 2024. Fellow countrymen Pavel Gabzdyl and Petr Horálek have also had their stunning astronomical photographs featured on NASA’s website this year.
“The conditions, especially in winter, are quite unpleasant, most of the time the temperatures are below zero and a person is already frozen after an hour and a half,” stated Kuřák, adding “the cold also harms technology. Even the flashlights in the cameras are cold, or our lenses freeze.”
Despite the challenging conditions, Kuřák expressed amazement at having his work chosen for APOD, saying, “When I sent the picture, I couldn’t imagine that I could appear there.” . The APOD program, which has been running since 1995, is highly respected within the astrophotography community.
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## A Celestial Spectacle Captured: Interview with Jakub Kuřák
**[Archyde News]** –
Astronomers and photography enthusiasts alike are abuzz with the stunning image that recently graced NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) for December 15, 2024. This breathtaking capture, titled “Geminid Meteors over a Snowy Forest”, was brought to light by Czech astrophotographer Jakub Kuřák. Archyde sat down with Mr.Kuřák to delve into the story behind this incredible photograph.
**Archyde:** Jakub, congratulations on your APOD selection! Tell us about the moment you captured this captivating image.
**Jakub Kuřák:** Thank you! It was truly a magical night. I was set up near the Polish town of Szklarska Poręba on December 14th and 15th, hoping to capture the Geminid meteor shower. The conditions were perfect – a clear sky, crisp winter air, and a near-full moon adding an extra layer to the scene. Suddenly,the sky began to ignite with these brilliant streaks of light,streaking across the canopy of stars.
**Archyde**: The image is absolutely stunning. what techniques did you use to capture such a detailed and vibrant photograph?
**Jakub Kuřák:** It was a combination of patience, planning, and a little bit of luck. I used a long exposure technique, allowing my camera to capture the trails of the meteors as they zipped across the sky. The near-full moon provided ample light to illuminate the snowy forest scene, creating a gorgeous contrast against the dark sky.
**Archyde:** The Geminids are known to be one of the most active meteor showers. Can you tell us what makes them so unique?
**Jakub Kuřák:** Your right, the Geminids are a truly stunning sight. They are known for their luminous, fast-moving meteors, frequently enough leaving persistent trains of light that glimmer after they’ve passed. They originate from the debris trail left behind by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which makes them quite distinct from other meteor showers.
**Archyde:** What advice would you give to aspiring astrophotographers hoping to capture their own celestial masterpiece?
**Jakub Kuřák:** Don’t be afraid to experiment! Find a dark location away from city lights, research the best meteor showers to watch, and invest time in learning about your camera settings. Be patient, as capturing that perfect shot takes time and effort. And most importantly, enjoy the beauty of the night sky!
**Archyde:** Thank you Jakub for sharing your insights and experience! Your beautiful photograph is a testament to the wonders of the universe and the passion of astrophotographers like yourself.
