A Celestial Marvel Unveiled

In an awe-inspiring display of cosmic wonder, photographer Osama Fathi has immortalized the Perseid meteor shower as it blazes across the Milky Way, right above the ancient Egyptian temple dedicated to the crocodile god Soknopaios.

A Perfect Night for Stargazing

Captured from the Soknopaiou Nesos archaeological site, near Qarun Lake in northeastern Egypt, Fathi's stunning photo was taken on the peak night of the Perseids on August 12. Although the bright glow of a waning gibbous moon obscured many fainter meteors, the photographer still managed to showcase some of the most brilliant shooting stars in this extraordinary celestial event.

Echoes of a Rich Past

"Despite the moonlight, we were fortunate enough to catch a few bright meteors streaking above the ancient stones of Soknopaiou Nesos, known today as Dimeh es-Seba in the Faiyum Oasis," Fathi noted in a conversation with Space.com. This site, once a bustling religious center founded in the 3rd century BCE during the Ptolemaic reclamation of Faiyum, features the remnants of a magnificent temple dedicated to Soknopaios, the oracular crocodile god with a falcon's head.

A Technical Triumph

Fathi's breathtaking scene is a composite created from multiple images, expertly taken with a Nikon Z6 camera and a Nikkor 14-24 mm wide-angle lens. The Milky Way and the surrounding stars were captured over a lengthy 25-second exposure, while the meteors were snapped using a shorter exposure at a high ISO of 8000.

A Gateway to the Stars

This captivating photo not only highlights the beauty of the Perseids but also serves as a reminder of the rich history nestled within Egypt's vast landscapes. As the stars continue to light up the night sky, they connect us to the ancient civilizations that gazed upon them, forever inspiring wonder and exploration.