As a child, I was captivated by the beauty of the night sky. My father, who was a Scout Master, would take me on camping trips and hikes, and I spent many nights gazing up at the stars. I remember memorizing constellations, learning about the phases of the moon, and even convincing my parents to buy me a telescope in the shape of a space shuttle. It was a small telescope, but it opened up a whole new world for me. I could see craters on the moon, and even the rings of Saturn. I was in awe of the vastness of space and the endless possibilities that it held.

As I grew older, my passion for the night sky and space never wavered. I spent my teenage years reading books about space and astronomy, and even joined the local astronomy club. I was fascinated by the different galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters that I saw through the club’s telescopes. The more I learned, the more I wanted to know.

Fast forward to adulthood, and my passion for the night sky has only grown stronger. I now own a camera with powerful zoom lenses, and I spend hours taking photos of the moon. I have learned how to capture the beauty of the night sky through long-exposure photography, and it has become my hobby.

So, when my family invited me to join them for the SpaceX Heavy Rocket launch, I jumped at the opportunity. I was excited but also nervous, as I had never photographed a rocket launch before. I knew that the rocket would be moving at incredible speeds and that I would have less than a minute to get the perfect shot. I searched for tips online on how to photograph a rocket launch, but most of the advice was generic and not very useful.

So, I decided to rely on my own experience and figured out the settings that worked best for me. And, when the rocket took off, I was ready, taking pictures as if my life depended on it. I had to be quick to capture the rocket at different stages of the launch, from the initial lift-off to the separation of the boosters. And, to my surprise, I think I did a pretty good job.

I can’t help but think of the little kid I used to be, lying in a clearing and staring up at the stars. I wish he could see the cool space shots I get to take today. It would have made him so happy.

My love for the night sky and space has been a constant in my life, and I am grateful for the opportunities that I have had to capture the beauty of the cosmos through my camera. I hope that my photos will inspire others to look up at the night sky and marvel at its wonder. Photography has allowed me to combine my love for space and my passion for photography, and I can’t wait for the next opportunity to capture the beauty of the night sky. If you have a passion for space and photography, I encourage you to give it a try, you won’t regret it. The night sky is a never-ending source of inspiration, and the possibilities are endless.