Guatemalan photographer Francisco Sojuel had an unforgettable experience during his climb up the Acatenango volcano one Christmas Eve in 2019. While stationed at the basecamp, Sojuel was treated to a mesmerizing sight in the nighttime heavens. Just before sunrise, in the early morning hours, he looked up and witnessed an awe-inspiring phenomenon—a ring of clouds encircling the Moon. Remarkably, these clouds gave the appearance of the Moon masquerading as Saturn. Realizing the exceptional nature of this moment, Sojuel swiftly captured a series of shots, resulting in an image that is truly once-in-a-lifetime.
The photograph showcases the Moon positioned above the landscape, encircled by the cloud formation. The lower portion of the image is complemented by the silhouette of the Pacaya volcano and the Guatemalan highlands, adding to the overall dramatic effect. Sojuel explains that the cloud featured in the picture is a cirrostratus cloud, a type of high-level cloud composed of ice crystals. When viewed from specific angles, these clouds produce halos around the Moon. However, in this particular instance, the Moon lacks a typical halo, and the cloud appears slightly fluffy, suggesting it may be a cirrostratus fibratus or a cirrus spissatus cloud. These cloud types are denser and often formed by strong winds.
Francisco Sojuel has made a name for himself not only through his extraordinary landscape and adventure photography, which includes capturing live volcano eruptions, but also his astrophotography. As he embarks on his adventures, Sojuel takes the time to appreciate the night sky, providing his own unique perspective on the celestial wonders of Central America.
To explore more of Francisco Sojuel’s breathtaking astrophotography:
Francisco Sojuel: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Leave a Reply