Carpe Sidera. The Wonder of Heaven on the Beauty of Rome
30 images by astrophysicist and photographer Gianluca Masi immortalize the meeting between some of the most spectacular phenomena of the night sky and the legendary monuments of Rome.
In Carpe Sidera. The Wonder of Heaven on the Beauty of Rome the glory of the night sky, through some of its most spectacular phenomena, turns on above the stunning and emblematic monuments of Rome: from the International Space Station flying above the Spanish Steps to the full Moon looming over the Colosseum, from planet Venus setting beside the St. Peter’s dome to a satellite streak above Marcus Aurelius, in Piazza del Campidoglio.
The main aim of Gianluca Masi as a researcher but also as a passionate science communicator is to get back, thanks to the beauty of the images, the dialog between the celestial sphere and the urban spaces, the starting point to preserve the treasure-trove of wonders hidden in the firmament.
Most of the photographs here are the outcome of meticulous calculations, to discover very specific circumstances, both in space and time, to align and put together a celestial, ephemeral event with a specific architectural element. A calculation where the deep knowledge of the sky integrates with both the technical skills and the artistic vision.
The works shown here are available (either the entire set or a selection) for putting up a very unique exhibition, of unmatched originality, deep cultural and emotional value.
During the exhibition, the photographer can hold seminars on night photography and the celestial phenomena inspiring his work.
Between Dec. 2019 and Feb. 2020, these 30 images have been the subject of a personal exhibition at the Museo Civico di Zoologia in Rome, promoted by the “Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali, Assessorato alla Crescita culturale di Roma Capitale”.
Some of the photographs are available as professional grade prints, both on photographic paper and on photographic paper stuck on a Forex panel (the latter being the format chosen for the exhibition): details are available for each photograph below.
List of the available photographs. Click on each thumbnail for details.
1. The 13 Dec. 2016 full Moon at perigee (“Supermoon”) looms above the Altar of the Fatherland in Rome.
2. Planet Venus sets beside St. Peter’s Basilica.
3. The Orion constellations rises behind the Palazzo Senatorio.
4. The full Moon rises behind the Flavian Amphitheatre.
5. The 27 July 2018 total lunar eclipse beside the Colosseum.
6. The five Planets parade, 2 Feb. 2016.
7. The 20 July 2016 full Moon and the Colosseum.
8. The Moon and planet Mercury at sunset, 27 July 2017.
9. The 4 Dec. 2017 full Moon at perigee (“Supermoon”) looms above the dome of St. Peter’s, at dawn.
10. The dome of St. Peter’s “eclipses” the 4 Dec. 2017 Supermoon.
11. The Iridium 10 satellite shines above the Tiber and the dome of St. Peter’s.
12. The Iridium 35 satellite passes above Capitol Square.
13. Moon crescent and Earthshine at sunset, above the dome of St. Peter’s.
14. The Great Synagogue of Rome and the full Moon.
15. The Moon and planet Mars beside the Monte Mario Observatory.
16. A sharp Moon crescent shines above the dome of St. Peter’s, at sunset.
17. Planet Venus and the Pleiades have a conjunction above some domes of the Eternal City.
18. The summer full Moon rises above the Eternal City, at sunset.
19. The International Space Station (ISS) flies above the Spanish Steps.
20. The International Space Station (ISS) flies above the Eternal City, among the stars and the constellations.
21. The International Space Station (ISS) passes above the St. Peter’s Basilica.
22. The Roman Forum and the International Space Station (ISS).
23. Castle of the Holy Angel, the Tiber and the International Space Station (ISS).
24. The Tiangong 2 Chinese space station passes above Galleria Borghese.
25. The Iridium 45 satellite shines above the Roman Forum.
26. Planets Saturn and Mars shine above the Temple of Saturn and the Temple of Vespasian and Titus.
27. Planets Venus and Mercury light up at sunset, beside the dome of St. Peter’s.
28. Venus, the Moon and Jupiter above the Palatinum.
29. The Moon, Venus and Mercury at dawn, above the Roman Castles.
30. The International Space Station (ISS) flies above Villa Borghese.
