Italian Photographer Captures Breathtaking Details of the Moon: NASA’s

Italian Photographer’s Six-Year Endeavor: NASA Recognizes Unique Moon Photo

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has bestowed the title of “Astronomy Picture of the Day” for Christmas 2023 upon Valerio Minato, a photographer hailing from Turin, Italy, for his extraordinary shot of the moon.

Minato captured a stunning image of the moon perfectly aligning with the dome of the Basilica of Superga, situated near Turin, and the summit of Monviso, also known as Monte Viso, the highest peak in the Cottian Alps.

The photographer revealed that he conceived the idea for this photo in 2017, and since then, his quest to capture the moon alongside the cathedral and mountain in a single frame became an obsession.

Minato disclosed that it took him six years to achieve the perfect shot, emphasizing the importance of changing perspectives and patience.

In an interview with Corriere Torino, a news agency based in Turin, Minato stated, “I have been shooting since 2012, first in Turin, then in the surrounding area, to view the city from different points and distances. At a certain point I started looking for the point to have the dome of Superga and Monviso perfectly aligned.”

He identified the ideal location in 2017 on a hill in the Chivassese area between San Raffaele Cimena and Castagneto Po, a 40-minute drive away, marking the beginning of his obsession to frame them both with a celestial body.

Minato meticulously planned the shot, considering the moon’s phases, horizon position, and weather conditions with utmost precision. He highlighted that once a year, the moon is positioned “exactly there with a circular appearance, in this case, the crescent half illuminated and the other highlighted by the ashen light of reflection.”

After five years of cloudy weather, on December 15, just before 7 pm, Minato finally seized the opportunity to capture the shot.