Karl Fletcher usually grabs his telescope and camera to reach for the stars, but he did not anticipate that he would reach an astronaut instead.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Mittagong resident captured last month's blood moon, and posted it as a comment on former astronaut Buzz Aldrin's Facebook page.
"Here's one for you Buzz, I took this one myself," he commented.
"This was the lunar eclipse seen in Australia a few days ago," he continued to explain.
Mr Aldrin commended his handiwork, and responded with "well done."
The welder by day, and stargazer by night was over the moon with the acknowledgement.
"It is something I am never going to forget," he said.
"I just thought nobody sends him anything, and I think he appreciated it.
"I often commented on his Facebook posts but never expected to hear back."
"Thank you sir," he began.
"I very much appreciate your comment.
"I won't ever make it there but you've always inspired me to reach higher and go for the goals."
The Highlands resident expressed his passion for reducing light pollution in the night sky, and the importance of preserving it.
"Mr Aldrin's comment inspired me to up the ante, and be public about what we have in the region," he said.
"Hopefully, more measures can be put in place to preserve the skies."
The self-taught photographer has captured constellations, meteor showers, shooting stars, star clusters, and nebulas.
He also posts time-lapses to Tik Tok that have been viewed over a million times worldwide.
Onlookers across the globe have expressed their appreciation for his documentation of the sky.
"People have commented and said they have never seen anything like it," he said.
Mr Fletcher said he is open to meet people for workshops to provide tips on capturing the wonders of the night sky.
Highlanders can join his Facebook group, or Nightscape Photographers Australia to learn some tips and tricks.
The Department of Planning and Environment's Dark Sky Planning Guideline provides more information on the significance of light pollution.
Do you have something to say about this issue? Send a letter to the editor. Click here for the Goulburn Post, and here for the Southern Highland News.
Briannah Devlin
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
I like to write about arts, entertainment, any local reality tv leads, and property for the Southern Highland News and Goulburn Post, but also report on everything in between. If you have any tips, please send them to Briannah.Devlin@austcommunitymedia.com.au, or call 0439142204.
