Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) has rapidly emerged as one of 2025's most spectacular stargazing phenomena, drawing astronomy enthusiasts worldwide to seek out dark-sky locations for optimal viewing. Egyptian photographer Osama Fathi took this pursuit to extraordinary lengths, capturing breathtaking images of the comet from one of Earth's darkest locations - the remote Fayoum Desert in Egypt.
Fathi, who shares his astronomical photography through his Instagram account @osama.fathi.nsw, successfully photographed Comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) positioned between the constellations Ursa Major and Boötes. His remarkable image also features the bright star Arcturus, creating a stunning celestial composition against the Egyptian desert landscape. The photograph was taken on October 18, 2025, at approximately 7:30 PM local time, just after sunset when viewing conditions were optimal.
The photographer described the magical atmosphere of that evening near the silent cliffs of Qatrani Mountain, where only the soft whisper of desert wind disturbed the stillness. "The comet's delicate blue tail rises from the horizon of Egypt's Fayoum Desert, blending with the fading twilight," Fathi explained. "That night near the silent cliffs of Qatrani Mountain, the air was still except for the soft whisper of desert wind brushing across the sands."
Fathi's expedition had a specific astronomical purpose - to photograph two comets, with Lemmon being the primary target. "We had come there with one purpose – to chase the light of a traveler from deep space: comet C/2025 A6 (Lemmon). Just after sunset, the comet appeared low on the horizon, suspended between Ursa Major, the Great Bear, and Boötes, the Watcher of the North," he recounted. "Its tail shimmered faintly in the Egyptian twilight, a soft, ethereal brushstroke above the ancient desert."
The location itself holds tremendous historical significance, adding another layer of meaning to the cosmic photography session. Qatrani Mountain stands as one of Egypt's richest fossil sites, where traces of early humans and prehistoric creatures lie alongside remnants of Greco-Roman temples. This timeless setting provided a profound backdrop for capturing images of the ancient comet traveling through space.
Fathi employed sophisticated photography techniques and equipment to achieve these exceptional results. Using a modified Nikon Z6 camera paired with a Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 lens, he captured the comet at ISO 1600 with carefully stacked exposures. The final image represents a composite of 20 individual 30-second exposures, meticulously processed to preserve the natural colors of both the sky and the desert night atmosphere.
The photographer utilized three different lenses throughout the evening - 24mm, 135mm, and 250mm - to capture various perspectives of the comet's passage across the sky. This multi-lens approach allowed him to document different aspects of the celestial event, from wide-field contextual shots to more detailed close-ups of the comet's structure and tail.
Comet photography presents unique challenges, as these celestial visitors typically appear much more dramatic in photographs than they do to the naked eye. While human vision can detect comets under dark skies, cameras can capture the full beauty of their fuzzy nucleus and extended tails with far greater detail and color saturation. This week has been particularly favorable for observing Comet Lemmon, prompting many comet enthusiasts to travel to remote locations away from light pollution for the best possible viewing experience.
Fathi reflected on the profound experience of that desert night, describing how "time seemed to slow – only the wind, the foxes, and the faint light of a comet crossing the heavens." His dedication to astronomical photography and willingness to venture into one of Earth's most remote and dark locations has resulted in images that showcase both the beauty of our cosmic neighborhood and the ancient landscape of Egypt.
