Astrophotographer Osama Fathi has produced a breathtaking image capturing Perseid meteors streaking across circling star trails above Egypt’s Western Desert. The photograph was taken on the night of August 13-14, following the meteor shower’s peak under dark skies associated with a new moon.
To create the mesmerizing background, Fathi recorded 240 consecutive 25-second exposures. This technique highlighted the apparent motion of stars as they rotated around the celestial north pole and Polaris, the North Star. Using a Sony A7 III camera equipped with a 16-35 mm lens, he documented the stars’ ancient light over a 100-minute period, with the length of each trail indicating the distance the stars appeared to travel.
Fathi was not the only person witnessing the event. He described the experience as unforgettable, noting that the night offered exceptionally clear visibility. Approximately 200 astronomy enthusiasts joined him in the desert, sharing stories while stargazing and photographing the celestial display.
The final image is a composite, or stack, of separate landscape and starscape shots. It distinguishes between the unbroken streaks of Perseid meteors—caused by tiny particles burning up in Earth’s atmosphere—and dotted trails near the horizon, which represent satellites passing silently overhead.
The scene underscores the natural spectacle created as Earth moves through the debris trail left by comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. For those interested in replicating such imagery, Space.com offers guides on photographing star trails and recommendations for top cameras and lenses available in 2026.
Unbelievable image! It really puts into perspective how fast our planet spins while we sleep under the stars.
Egypt’s Western Desert is a photographer’s paradise. The darkness there is unlike anywhere else I’ve visited.
Are those dotted trails definitely satellites? It looks like some might be aerial noise rather than orbital debris to me.
200 people gathering in the desert sounds like an incredible community event. I wish more astronomy clubs did this.
I’ve always wondered how they capture those perfect star trails without motion blur. The patience required must be immense.