Perseid meteors meet mesmerizing star trails over Egypt's Western Desert
Osama Fathi captured this breathtaking view of Perseids cutting through star trails from Egypt's Western Desert on Aug. 13-14.
Astrophotographer Osama Fathi captured an awe-inspiring image of Perseid meteors dancing across the sky, intertwined with star trails, in Egypt's Western Desert on August 13-14. During a dark new-moon night, Fathi used his Sony A7 III camera and a 16-35mm lens to take 240 consecutive 25-second exposures, creating the illusion of the stars orbiting the North Star, Polaris.
The varying lengths of the trails showcase the stars' movement as they carry ancient light. Fathi wasn't alone in this celestial experience. He shared the desert with approximately 200 fellow astronomy enthusiasts, exchanging tales and sharing their passion for stargazing and photography. The clear night allowed for an unforgettable moment as Perseid meteors and satellites intersected with the star trails above.
The photograph, a fusion of landscape and starry skies, showcases the beauty of Earth's rotation and the natural spectacle of the Perseid meteor shower, caused by Earth passing through debris from comet Swift-Tuttle. To capture similar stunning images, readers can consult guides on photographing star trails and explore the top cameras and lenses for astrophotography in 2026.
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