Astrophotographer captures the Milky Way over Easter Island during eclipse

A remarkable image of the swirling colors of the Milky Way above Easter Island’s famous Moai statues was recently captured by photographer Josh Dury, a veteran astrophotographer and Space.com contributor. During his trip to Easter Island for last month’s annular solar eclipse, Dury took advantage of the island’s pristine night sky to photograph the ancient statues beneath a stunning stretch of the Milky Way, creating a unique connection between the island’s historic culture and the universe above was demonstrated. This image, titled Aringa Ora O Te Tupuna or The Living Face of the Ancestors, was shared on social media and subsequently recognized by NASA as an Astronomy Photo of the Day (APOD).

Beautiful night sky above iconic Moai statues

The Moai statues, some of which are more than twice the size of an average human and weigh up to 12,700 kilograms, stand like ancient figures on the remote island, known for its exceptionally dark skies, far from urban light pollution. During his stay, Dury, supported by islanders, positioned his camera to capture a composition that framed the images with the Milky Way. The recording, in addition to its artistic value, is seen as a tribute to the islanders and the ancestral legacy of the Rapa Nui people.

A photographer’s tribute to culture and science

Dury described the experience as one of the most emotionally significant of his career and dedicated the photo to both the island’s people and his ancestors. In a statement about the image’s title, he explained that the phrase, in the native language of Rapa Nui, represents a bridge between art, science and the cultural importance of astronomy to the island’s residents.