The Photography and Movie Making Club (PMMC) successfully hosted an inspiring event, Astronight 2025, on January 22, 2025. Designed to introduce participants to the fascinating world of astrophotography, the event provided an immersive experience in capturing celestial wonders. The night was particularly special as it coincided with a rare planetary alignment, allowing participants to witness six planets in the sky, making the experience even more extraordinary.

The session was led by Dhruv Patel, a seasoned astrophotographer with three years of experience, accompanied by his colleague Ishan Kalal. To enhance the viewing experience, three high-quality telescopes were set up:

• A Dobsonian telescope
• A 127mm reflector telescope
• A 70mm refractor telescope

The evening began with Dhruv outlining the plan for the session, which included:

• An introduction to astrophotography, where he demonstrated techniques for capturing star trails and deep-sky objects using DSLR cameras.
• A visual astronomy session, where participants observed Venus, Saturn, and the aligned planets through the telescopes. Dhruv also explained the key differences between various types of telescopes and their applications.

The event saw enthusiastic participation from both students and faculty members. Professors actively engaged in the session, eagerly observing celestial objects through the telescopes. Many expressed their excitement at experiencing the wonders of the night sky in such depth, gaining valuable insights into astronomy and astrophotography.

A highlight of the night was a hands-on astrophotography demonstration by Dhruv. Participants captured breathtaking images of the Orion Nebula, showcasing the beauty of deep-space photography, and experimented with star trail photography, revealing the mesmerizing motion of the night sky. Despite light pollution challenges, the results were stunning, leaving the audience in awe.

The event successfully ignited a sense of curiosity and appreciation for astrophotography and the cosmos among attendees. It was a memorable night of learning and discovery, furthering the PMMC's mission to explore and document the beauty of the universe.

Below are some of the remarkable photos captured during the session:

PMMC looks forward to organizing more such events in the future, bringing together photography enthusiasts and space lovers for unforgettable experiences under the stars.