# Venus Disappears Behind Moon in Award-Winning Photo

> Photographer captures Venus vanishing behind Moon for bright pearl effect, winning major astrophotography award.
- Title: Venus Disappears Behind Moon in Award-Winning Photo | Shortify
- Summary: Photographer captures Venus vanishing behind Moon for bright pearl effect, winning major astrophotography award. Czech astrophotographer Petr Horalek won ZWO…
- Keywords: venus, moon, lunar occultation, zwo astronomy photographer of the year, petr horalek, czechia, sehupky, sech, pardubice region, september 19 2025, 1/8000 sec exposures, astrophotography
- Source: Digital Camera World — https://digitalcameraworld.com/photography/astrophotography/photographer-snapped-multiple-1-8000-sec-exposures-of-venus-disappearing-behind-the-moon-to-create-a-bright-pearl-in-the-sky-winning-major-astrophotography-award
- Published: 2026-09-30T10:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: venus, moon, lunar occultation, zwo astronomy photographer of the year, petr horalek, czechia, sehupky, sech, pardubice region, september 19 2025, 1/8000 sec exposures, astrophotography
## Lunar Occultation of Venus
Czech astrophotographer Petr Horalek captured Venus disappearing behind the Moon during a rare lunar occultation in September 2025.

> The most beautiful moment was when Venus had just started to disappear behind the crescent.
## Bright Pearl Effect
Horalek described the planet as a 'bright pearl on the lunar limb' during the final moments of the occultation.

> It looked like a bright pearl on the lunar limb.
## Technical Setup
Using a Sky-Watcher 10' FlexTube Dobsonian telescope, Nikon Z6 III, f/5, ISO 250, and multiple 1/8000sec exposures.
## Location and Timing
The image was taken in Ústupky, Seč, Pardubice Region, Czechia on September 19, 2025.
## Challenging Conditions
Horalek noted the difficulty of capturing both Venus and the Moon while achieving the perfect exposure during the occultation.

> It was a big challenge to find both objects in the sky and produce good shots of this unusual view.
## Perfect Weather
The weather conditions were ideal, allowing Horalek to complete the capture despite the technical challenges.

> Fortunately, the weather was perfect and I was able to do it.
## Award Recognition
Horalek won the 'Our Moon' category at the 2026 ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition.
## Key takeaway

Czech astrophotographer Petr Horalek won ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year for capturing Venus disappearing behind the Moon during a lunar occultation in September 2025.