A photographer camped out in the desert in Texas, USA, for six months to capture an exploding star in more detail than ever seen before.

Matt Harbison, 46, used a telescope to snap thousands of images of the night sky, before layering them together into one high-resolution photo.

The 700-megapixel result is so detailed that it shows moving gasses swirling through space as well as a close-up view of the Milky Way.

Matt, who lives in Chattanooga, USA, travelled 1,300 miles to the desert in Marathon, Texas, USA, to capture the stunning scenes.

He said: “These images remind me that I am not the centre of the universe and am in fact a part of its movements.

“As a huge Star Trek fan, I do believe our chief goal as a species should be to seek out and learn about all that is around us.

“While looking at the Milky Way in the image I can’t help but feel unique and connected all at the same time and so that is my hope.”

"The picture itself took 6 months to capture and is over 700 megapixels, which is so big you can pick up every bit of detail - I had so much fun creating it," added Matt.

The spectacular 12-panel image is bathed in a pink and blue glow, and Matt used filters to create the most realistic colour palette, giving an accurate representation of the astral plain.

It shows the remnants of an exploded star balancing in the Cygnus Loop and Sadr area of space.

Matt said that photographers often capture the various individual targets in the constellation, but to have it presented together in this way is unique.

But it was not always smooth sailing and the changing weather, including a lot of fog, added complications to the process.

Matt said: “A few hurdles before truly grasping this wide-field monster and I am beginning to understand its quirks. The field is truly impressive.

“With massive amounts of star colour and span, this telescope chews through these dark West Texas skies.”

Matt got the astronomy bug when he was a young Boy Scout, when he studied for his astronomy badge.

Since then, astrophotography has been his all-encompassing hobby for the past 12 years.

Matt added: “When I think of my work on the 'scope I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment.

“My goals aren’t social media fame, telescope endorsement, sponsorship or even recognition.

“I really hope that one day my work here might be used in a way to help others study or measure the cosmos.

“As I’ve worked over the years I’ve gotten better and better at making notes and sticking to the maths of things.”

A photographer camped out in the desert for six months to capture an exploding star in more detail than ever seen before.

Matt Harbison, 46, used a telescope to snap thousands of images of the night sky, before layering them together into one high-resolution photo.

The 700-megapixel result is so detailed that it shows moving gasses swirling through space as well as a close-up view of the Milky Way.

Matt, who lives in Chattanooga, USA, travelled 1,300 miles to the desert in Marathon, Texas, USA, to capture the stunning scenes.

He said: “These images remind me that I am not the centre of the universe and am in fact a part of its movements.

“As a huge Star Trek fan, I do believe our chief goal as a species should be to seek out and learn about all that is around us.

“While looking at the Milky Way in the image I can’t help but feel unique and connected all at the same time and so that is my hope.”


"The picture itself took 6 months to capture and is over 700 megapixel, which is so big you can pick up every bit of detail - I had so much fun creating it" Added Matt.

The spectacular 12-panel image is bathed in a pink and blue glow, and Matt used filters to create the most realistic colour palette, giving an accurate representation of the astral plain.

It shows the remnants of an exploded star balancing in the Cygnus Loop and Sadr area of space.

Matt said that photographers often capture the various individual targets in the constellation, but to have it presented together in this way is unique.

But it was not always smooth sailing and the changing weather, including a lot of fog, added complications to the process.

Matt said: “A few hurdles before truly grasping this wide-field monster and I am beginning to understand its quirks. The field is truly impressive.

“With massive amounts of star colour and span, this telescope chews through these dark West Texas skies.”

Matt got the astronomy bug when he was a young Boy Scout, when he studied for his astronomy badge.

Since then, astrophotography has been his all-encompassing hobby for the past 12 years.

Matt added: “When I think of my work on the scope I can’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment.

“My goals aren’t social media fame, telescope endorsement, sponsorship or even recognition.

“I really hope that one day my work here might be used in a way to help others study or measure the cosmos.

“As I’ve worked over the years I’ve gotten better and better and making notes and sticking to the maths of things.”

ENDS