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Rare Capture of Falcon Heavy Rocket Transit Across the Moon
Photographer Pascal Fouquet from Orlando, Florida, recently achieved a remarkable feat by capturing a stunning image of a Falcon Heavy rocket transiting across the moon. This rare sight exemplifies the exceptional skill and talent required to seize such a momentous event. Fouquet’s exceptional photograph earned him the prestigious title of the United States’ National Award first place winner for the Sony World Photography Awards 2024.
Award Recognition and Program Overview
The Sony World Photography Awards is a renowned global competition that celebrates the art of photography, with participants from around the world submitting hundreds of thousands of entries annually. In collaboration with the World Photography Organization, Sony acknowledges outstanding photographers through this esteemed program.
Fouquet’s awe-inspiring image of the Falcon Heavy rocket passing in front of the moon was captured on the eve of the new year, coinciding with the SpaceX launch of the United States Space Force X-37B spaceplane on the USSF-52 mission. The liftoff of the uncrewed X-37B spacecraft atop the Falcon Heavy took place at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on December 28th at 8:07 p.m. EST.
Photographic Endeavors and Technical Precision
With less than 48 hours to prepare for this exceptional opportunity, Fouquet meticulously planned his photo shoot. Despite facing challenges in selecting the ideal location to capture the rocket transit, he settled on an unconventional spot—a field behind a hospice center located 13.8 miles away from the launch pad.
Fouquet’s methodical approach involved adjusting the camera settings to emphasize the moon’s details while downplaying the presence of the rocket. Using a Nikon D850, he set the shutter speed to a rapid 1/1600 of a second, precisely capturing the moment when the Falcon Heavy passed in front of the moon.
Remarkably, this marked the seventh successful launch of the Space Force’s secretive X-37B space plane, which currently remains in orbit. The previous mission of the X-37B set a new record for on-orbit endurance, lasting an impressive 908 days before its return.
For those interested in viewing Fouquet’s award-winning photograph of the Falcon Heavy rocket transit, the image is featured on the World Photography Organization’s official website, showcasing the talents of photographers from various categories in the 2024 National & Regional Awards.
For further details and to explore additional winning entries, please visit the World Photography Organization’s 2024 National & Regional Awards Winners & Shortlist page.
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