There’s no age limit when it comes to following your dreams and pursuing your passion. All you need is patience coupled with the curiosity to keep learning. For Prathamesh Jaju, a 16-year-old class 10 student from Pune, this proved to be the winning mantra. An aspiring astronomer with a passion for photography, Prathamesh’s carefully-honed astrophotography skills helped him capture one of the clearest pictures ever of our celestial neighbour – the moon. Not only was this beautiful snap an achievement in itself, but it was also the key behind catapulting Prathamesh to internet stardom.
How did he do it? Hear it from the boy behind the lens!
His photo of the ‘mineral moon’ wasn’t a one-shot miracle. There was a long exhausting process that went into producing this stunning image. The entire exercise involved capturing 50,000 lunar photos that Prathamesh took over a period of roughly four hours to take them. And then, the processing of the image took close to 40 hours. Fair to say, he wasn’t joking when he said that patience is key! But the payoff, as you saw, is ultimately beautiful. “When I finally saw the image, I was overwhelmed. It made me very happy,” he said of his initial reaction to seeing the photo.
Prathamesh first uploaded the photo on his Instagram page in May, with a caption describing the behind-the-scenes effort he had put in. According to that caption, it took him 186 GB of data to churn out that one single photo. Soon, people started sharing the photo and several news publications took notice. The rest as they say is history!
The viral ‘mineral moon’ clicked by Prathamesh
Prathamesh says that his love for outer space was kindled by iconic pop culture media when he was a child. “It’s because of movies and shows like Star Wars and Star Trek that my love for space was born,” he says. “The technology shown in those movies always made me wonder about the vastness of space. We don’t know much about what’s beyond our solar system. That’s fascinating and terrifying at the same time!”
The young astronomer has his eyes set on galaxies and nebulae (clouds of dust and gas that are considered to be the birthplace of stars) next. He tells us, “I’ve clicked photos of almost all of the planets in our solar system except Mercury and Neptune. Mercury sets too early or rises around the same time as the Sun, so it’s hard to photograph it. But for my next project, I’m planning to go to the Spiti Valley in the Himalayas. This is where one can find the best and the darkest skies in the world.”
Supporting his passion for all things universal are his parents. Prathamesh credits his father for encouraging him to join Jyotirvidya Parisanstha (JVP), India’s oldest astronomy club in Pune, at an early age.
“Listening to the sessions conducted by scientists at JVP further piqued my interest in astronomy. I can’t put it in words, but they were really instrumental in inspiring me.”
How do his parents feel about the moon photo? “They’re proud!” Prathamesh shares. “They don’t quite understand all the intricacies about the process when I explain it to them, but the international recognition that’s poured in is making them really happy.” He adds, “Initially, they used to be worried since this hobby requires me to stay up late at night to capture the right shot. But now they’re okay!”
One interesting facet of Prathamesh’s approach to astrophotography is his firm belief that anyone can do it. “Nowadays, because of advancement in technology, you can pursue astrophotography even with your mobile phone. You can fiddle around with settings like long exposure and manual mode to adjust the shutter speed and get started,” he says. His piece of advice for beginners?
“Astrophotography is all about trial and error. To shoot pictures of the moon and planets you don’t need to travel to special locations. You can do it from home too. All you need is curiosity and some patience.”
Liked this? Read more here!
Mission Red Planet: The story of life on Mars through rovers
Deepthi is an ambivert who is on a steady diet of good food, filter coffee, and self-improvement. Being an ardent reader, storytelling has been her first love and she enjoys exploring how to convey stories compellingly. Having studied psychology and experienced the learning and development field, Deepthi is driven to understand human behavior and to know what makes each of us unique. You are most likely to find her tucked into a cozy corner at a local cafe with a Kindle or a book in hand. If you find her there, stop by and say hello, she'd be eager to learn your story too. Until then, you can ping her at storyweavers@byjus.com for anything you may like to share.
Arya C is a 4th grader who talks about her transition from the US to India and how BYJU`S has helped her at that. She also loves how BYJU`S has made learning a lot more fun.
Meet Sourabh who has a ton to say about his BYJU`S learning experience. His love for quizzes, games and other fun activities are paying off!
V Shriya is a class eight student who has been using BYJU’S for a year now. She shares her experiences with using the app and how it has helped her in improving her academic performance.
Aanvi from class 9 has been with BYJU`S for just 6 months and hear what she has to say about her learning experience with the app.
Comments
Aishwarya n.s
July 25, 2021
I like to see the night sky
Anushka
July 23, 2021
I love to see moon
It’s my dream ,in the future I go to moon
Aheli Sengupta
July 17, 2021
I love see moon in the sky , or when i grew up i became a asteroid to see the beautiful solar system. I wish to go.
Vaibhav
July 3, 2021
I love solar system
I like byjus
Zalak joshi
July 1, 2021
So nice photography it is amazing pictures of moon thank you keep it uo
Sreya Gupta
June 28, 2021
Nic to meet you
Anushka
June 28, 2021
Thanks sir to teach us about solar system thanks a lot..
Jaipreet Singh
June 26, 2021
All subjects
Tanisha
June 25, 2021
It was lovely journey of the space photos I m too interested in space and clicking it’s photos is too my passion
S.yoga prasanna
June 23, 2021
Wow super ! It is very amazing
Debjit Das
June 23, 2021
Thank you Sir
Debjit Das
June 23, 2021
THANKS A LOT SIR FOR TACH US THE SOLAR SYSTEM
Debjit Das
June 23, 2021
Hi
Kinjal Mukesh Gupta
June 19, 2021
Thanks so much for this video sir
It is very interesting ☺️
Hanshika saini
June 18, 2021
Thanks sir for this beautiful video of solar system thanks a lot .☺☺
Parvesh
June 17, 2021
It was superb
Aditya Battellu
June 17, 2021
Nice
Aditya Battellu
June 17, 2021
Hi nice
Savarnnaa Jena
June 17, 2021
Wow ,it’s so beautiful.
Aditya Kumar shukla
June 17, 2021
Please teach me ok
Sadiya Parveen
June 16, 2021
I love see moon a night sky ??
Aayush jha
June 16, 2021
I love to see night sky moon
Aishika Ghosh
June 16, 2021
I was very happy to see the nice video. As my aim in life is to become a scientist, that’s why l love watching these types of videos. Thank you sir. Only for you l had an opportunity to view the nice video. Hope your next video or article will also make me feel amazing.
Sahasra
June 16, 2021
It was so lovely to see moon thank you sir
Priyanshu kalasua
June 16, 2021
Very nice sir thank you
I like the video
Chidanand
June 15, 2021
Thanks Prathamesh Jaju and Ashwin sir
Thanushree
June 15, 2021
It’s ur beautiful attempt and super for u r patience and I am happy to see moon and solar system video sir
jayant rao
June 15, 2021
i want to go on mars without doing any pollution at any where
Shobhit shah
June 15, 2021
It’s amazing ?
Aswathi
June 15, 2021
Nice
Shamyutha
June 15, 2021
Did he took the images from the telescope?
Mohammad Sadiq Ahamed
June 14, 2021
Wow amazing photos of moon and Milky way galaxy
A.R.Yashvika
June 14, 2021
Amazing ?? got good motivation ?
Bhumika
June 14, 2021
It was amazing , I was amazed.
I have read this while reading I got lost in it .
I love these photos
Aparna Singh
June 14, 2021
Thank you byju’s
Shagun Jangra
June 14, 2021
Thank you for lovely solar system video sir thank you sir
Shrutika lachankar
June 14, 2021
Amazing pics its was really appreciable ???loved it
Mayank
June 14, 2021
I want to see moon
Dolly Malviya
June 14, 2021
Nice and thanks , the information of moon I,am loving to the solar system , galaxy .And congratulations Prathamesh Jaju so nice confidence.
Archit
June 14, 2021
Wow!!!
Jasmine Kaur
June 14, 2021
Thnk u for lovely solar system video sir.. WOW!!!
Angel Kumari
June 14, 2021
Thanks sir for BYJU’S classes
Harsh
June 14, 2021
Hii
Geetika Goyal
June 14, 2021
Thank you for this lovely solar system video sir
Shakti yavvari
June 13, 2021
Thankyou For Lovely Solar System Video Sir
Pranathi
June 13, 2021
Wow
V.Kushal
June 13, 2021
WOW IT IS SO AMAZING I LOVE TO SEE THE MOON IN THE NIGHT CLEAR SKY
Sandesh. P
June 13, 2021
WOW! Fantastic job. Thank you for this amazing job.
Alina Khan
June 13, 2021
Congratulations Prathamesh sir ☺️.You have done a very great job.Thankyou byju’s for giving us this information.I’m also interested to know about solar system.
Sai Pranuth
June 13, 2021
Thanks Byjus’s for the information
Soham
June 13, 2021
Very nice
Pradhitya
June 13, 2021
Interesting!!!!
Shaurya kadam
June 13, 2021
It is so beautiful ??
Riyan
June 13, 2021
Hlo
Harshita Singh
June 12, 2021
It was very proud of that boy infact everyone should be proud I hope I also do some type of this work
Fardeen Ansari
June 12, 2021
His work is amazing and inspiring ✨.
Hasnain Ansari
June 12, 2021
If I go to Kashmir I I will see a clear picture of a moon of a full moon
Hasnain Ansari
June 12, 2021
If I go to Kashmir I I will see a clear picture of a moon
Pranathi
June 12, 2021
It is so beautiful bro
Pranathi
June 12, 2021
It was so beautiful bro
Rithika
June 12, 2021
Wow!?
Dhaani Priya
June 12, 2021
Thanks
Jasveen
June 12, 2021
Awesome
Japjot Kaur
June 12, 2021
I love to see moon in the night sky
Farheen unnisa begum
June 12, 2021
I love it i want to learn about moon
Md Farhan Ali
June 12, 2021
Wow I love solar system and I love byju’s because they show with practical experience we can understand very quickly thanks a lot byju’s sir or mam
B. Vutthista
June 12, 2021
I always want to see moon close
Vikram jit Singh
June 12, 2021
Very valuable and I got more extra knowledge in this video thank you
Akash Dutta
June 12, 2021
I love to see the moon, stars, and other things like Lunar eclipse in the night sky. I have searched these types of photos and vedios in internet many time.
M.V.SAMYUKTHA
June 12, 2021
Thank you for these beautiful pic sir
Hemaa Shivani.S
June 11, 2021
I love the moon.this is the most beautiful and amazing image l have ever seen.lt even came in the newspapers. I love the three images
?????
Abhijeet
June 11, 2021
Sir the picture and the video of the moon is wonderful
And I also want to shoot these kinds of beautiful pictures
Samson liju
June 11, 2021
Amazing
Shree Gowri
June 11, 2021
I love to see moon in night sky ??? thank you .
Shreshth Sharma
June 11, 2021
Thanks for the lovely solar system pictures too good sir??
B.Kaviya
June 11, 2021
I love the solar system thank you for giving the lovely video
anjali Kushwaha
June 11, 2021
Thank you for this lovely solar system video sir.
Ishmam Mehnaz
June 11, 2021
Wow really great job I was word less by seeing the beautiful photo . Really great job sir pls don’t stop discovering . I was fascinated with astronomy but now I am more interested in this. Don’t stop discovering ??????
Babu
June 11, 2021
Great
SHAIVEE SHARMA
June 11, 2021
Wow this is amazing ??
Garima Sharma
June 11, 2021
Thankyou very much our teacher s for giving us this amazing information.
Shivani.vadla
June 11, 2021
I love solar system sir
Mayuri Laxman Dhanak
June 11, 2021
I was not aware of this boy . Thankyou team byjus to make me aware of it .
Rohit Sharma
June 11, 2021
This Is So Lovely And This Is Interesting Sir
Raghav
June 11, 2021
I love moon
Sufiyan
June 11, 2021
Thank you
Aditri Dev Pandey
June 11, 2021
Wow !
Amazing!
Adorable!
Diligent!
Sleek!
Lovely!
Really now l don’t have adjectives to appreciate the picks.
Thank u byjus
And congratulations for your great discovery.
Aditri Dev Pandey
June 11, 2021
Wow !
Amazing!
Adorable!
Diligent!
Sleek!
Lovely!
Really now l don’t have adjectives to appreciate the picks.
Thank u byjus
Ishank
June 11, 2021
My dreem is
Go to moon and make a history
Kakku Veeran
June 11, 2021
Hi
Swarnaprava Nayak
June 11, 2021
I love to look at the sky at night time and on the day when there is a full moon, there is something different fun in seeing that moon.Truly, God’s creation is so beautiful, but for science, we can see all this and we can read about it.keep inspiring us sir, Congratulations Prathamesh sir for your discovery. Thank you.
Abhay thorat
June 11, 2021
It was very nice so interesting and best of luck to pratmesh dada ? ?
Vaibhavi
June 11, 2021
Cool!????
Madhusri?
June 11, 2021
I like see moon night time 9:00??
I like this video thank you very much ??
Rohini Pandey
June 11, 2021
I love to see the moon.????
Congratulations Prathamesh Jaju ?????????
Shruti Bharti
June 11, 2021
Wow!!the picture is just amazing .Thanks Byju’s for giving such amazing knowledge about this .thnqq so much
Somya Sharma
June 11, 2021
Good
Omisha Choudhary
June 11, 2021
Awesome work
Aditya
June 11, 2021
……… Marvellous photo has taken ………..?????
Bhavya khichar
June 11, 2021
Amazing discovery
Sachi purbey
June 11, 2021
Thanks for this video it is amazing
Ridhi srivastav
June 11, 2021
Awesome video ….wow
Full of knowledge and interesting tooo
Mahathi Muthu
June 11, 2021
Thank you so much Prathamesh for the information which you gave in the video about astrophotography and the mineral pic of the moon was really so awesome??✨???
Rishika poonia
June 11, 2021
Thank you for lovely solar system
Video sir
Madhusri?
June 11, 2021
I like see night time 9:00??
I like this video thank you very much ??
Khushi kumari
June 11, 2021
What subject
Arsalan Arshad Siddiqui
June 11, 2021
Congrats sir on taking the crystal clear picture of the moon. It looks so beautiful and nice. It is my dream to become a space scientist one day and study the mysteries around the universe.This picture of the moon is a piece of your hardwork. Keep taking pictures like this and never give up in life. Once again congragulations ?.
Madhusri?
June 11, 2021
I like seen moon night time 9:00??
I like this video thank you very much ??
Gungun
June 11, 2021
I like the solar system planet the real planet ,galaxies l also like astrology
Mrunali
June 11, 2021
I want to go to the moon after 10 years please make to reach the moon all my friends and teachers.
Mihika Kaushik
June 11, 2021
Loved it, so beautiful ?
Madhusri?
June 11, 2021
I like it moon at night sky??
Like this video thank you very much??
Harshal
June 11, 2021
Very good nice to meet you
Nirgude Jatin
June 11, 2021
I love to know the advancers things that happen in the universe
Samarth Giri
June 11, 2021
Amazing It is very beautiful pic of moon keep it up thanks to astro photographer prathmesh jagu to show us a clear and amazing picture of moon
Madhusri?
June 11, 2021
I am Like moon??
Arpan sah
June 11, 2021
I like to see space
Yatharth
June 11, 2021
That was very awesome??
Rehansh
June 11, 2021
Can I meet with byjus teacher s
Avantika singh
June 11, 2021
I like it
Madhusri?
June 11, 2021
I love moon ??
ananya
June 11, 2021
in this photo we all can see the beautiful moon and it’s clear. Thank u for the photo.
Raju Kumar
June 11, 2021
Wow! Keep it up ?.
That was very amazing.
Madhusri?
June 11, 2021
I love night se full moon?
Thank you very much ?
Sakshi Jogdand
June 11, 2021
Woooow! it inspires me towards astronomy.
Vaibhavi yadav
June 11, 2021
I like this video ?
Thank u Prathamesh sir for sharing your discovery to us.
Sanshita
June 11, 2021
Wow,what the nice video.
Aaryan
June 11, 2021
Thank you sir
Gaurav kumar
June 11, 2021
No comments
Krithi C Bangera
June 11, 2021
wow!! it is very nice these things give more inspiration in our life too
Thank you so much
MONISHA SARKAR
June 10, 2021
Thanks for aditional knowledge
Jayna
June 10, 2021
How’d he capture that? Cuz I’ve seen a vid on YouTube where the latest model of the camera took only a blurred part of moon, it wasn’t clear. That’s really great tho .. can anyone let me know how to take photo of a moon???
Mehnaz Parveen
June 10, 2021
I love moons, my Dream is to go on the moon, that why Byjus is amazing???
Ditipriya Roychowdhury
June 10, 2021
Excellent talents can only be born in India
Rakesh Singh Patel
June 10, 2021
The nice thing that all should learn from him….
Bhumika Nikam
June 10, 2021
Awesome ! Great work Prathamesh sir and congratulations for your discovery .
Sivanarayan maniveli A
June 10, 2021
I love solar system and thanks for the
Video. Congratulations to prathamesh jaju
Harshith
June 10, 2021
Fantastic job well done I understand thanks to you
Mariya Joshy
June 10, 2021
This is my first knowledge of this. Thank you…. it is a motivational thought
Sachika Meher
June 10, 2021
Great, this photos are so beautiful, and we all get to see a clear view of the moon, so thanks to the team of Byju’s
Tahoora khatoon
June 10, 2021
Thankyou sir for give us a good knowledge about our moon…I am very thankful to you sir ..?
Bhargav
June 10, 2021
Hi
K. Bharath Krishna
June 10, 2021
It is so intresting to see the moon ??this is so thrilled thank you Byjus
Nandika
June 10, 2021
Unbelievable
Thank you so much for this information,
Geography personally is the most favourite subject of mine and it is literally that I have a dream of becoming a space scientist
Through this video now I know where I have to start
I saw this video on youtube but I thought it was of some other company and it must be untrue but now I know it is my own Byjus.
Regards,
your sincerely
Nandika
Snigdha Ghosh
June 10, 2021
I love moon ? so much. And moon is my best friend. So thanks for the video.
Aarush
June 10, 2021
Ok
Sahil A N
June 10, 2021
Wow! Nice sir
Somnath jha
June 10, 2021
Thanks Prathamesh bro I am from a rural village and also I am curious to astrophysics. But there is lack of facility for me so I am preparing for IIT-JEE and I’m in class 12th now and this video give me a lot of motivation and confidence. Thanks team BYJU’S
Madhura
June 10, 2021
Nice photos
Sridha Nidhi
June 10, 2021
It’s literally amazing to see the session like this….. because when you just come to the person or the effort behind your screen desktop. Yup….the moon the galaxy the universe is what fascinate me or even most of the people….but this boy is who take out the steps first..❤️….. it’s really amazing… heart warming…so all the best for all those who wanted to make yourself in this field…..hope we all together can explore whole universe one day…and then we will call it “ours day”.
Thanks
Vedhashree
June 10, 2021
Wow. The picture is Incredible. Prathamesh sir you have taken really amazing picture of the moon. I really like it. Keep it up Prathamesh sir.
Shreasth agrawal
June 10, 2021
Wow it was amazing. When I was seeing this I think that I am in space. Thank you for this video.
Yashika Gandass
June 10, 2021
What we need to do in this sir / Mam
Priti roy
June 10, 2021
I love to watch moon ??
Aditya Atul verma
June 10, 2021
This is very beautiful video & I was thanks to dear prathamesh
Moon photo is very clear .. it is so nice to look clear moon in nightsky,, CONGRATS DEAR PRATHAMESH ?
Aashvi
June 10, 2021
Its really amazing for learn about our solar system
Akankshya p. Swain
June 10, 2021
I love to see new and amazing things of sky in another word I love to see night sky it was just awesome. If you ever get a chance to vist\go to sky! So don’t miss it up.
Shikha Singh
June 10, 2021
Very interesting ! Thanks for this video.
I also like to do photography but I haven’t think about to take the pictures of solar system but after going through this video I realised that is photography is not only just about to capturing the moment in our.
This video has inspired .
BYJU’S is a great online app which inspire me that anybody can do anything.
Haripriyasinha
June 10, 2021
Thank you for the lovely video
Nehal Namdev
June 10, 2021
Wow amazing sir ? The picture is just too good.
Keep inspiring us?And thanku for the lovely video.
Nehal Namdev
June 10, 2021
Wow amazing sir ? The picture is just too good.
Keep inspiring us?
Pratibha borse
June 10, 2021
It’s really awesome. Thank you byju’s ❤️
Charmi
June 10, 2021
Excellent!!! Keep doing things like this and keep motivating others too
Aaisha
June 10, 2021
Thanx for information of solar system
Ashitha
June 10, 2021
Thanku sir for this lovely solar system video
Polisetty Preethi
June 10, 2021
Wow moon thank you
Bhrat
June 10, 2021
Wow!! What a pick of moon. This is the best pick ever.
Ankita
June 10, 2021
I love this video and lines
Roshni Pandey
June 10, 2021
Wow ! Keep it up ?.I am so glad for u ?. I also love to read about the planet and know about it & the interest comes when we take interest it any thing & have curiosity to know more about it that main thing is that .
Thank you ??.
Rudraksh Soni
June 10, 2021
That was very amazing!!
The pictures are awesome ?
Madakam Ramprasad
June 10, 2021
Thanks sar
Arpit Avinash Chavan
June 10, 2021
Thanks for astro advice
Shiya
June 10, 2021
Okay
Shreya Damodar
June 10, 2021
Great job actually well done
Dr Sunitha Gangadharaiah
June 10, 2021
I love byjus
Kukku
June 10, 2021
Plz bring an astrophysicist
Roshan sharma
June 10, 2021
Byju’s help me to solve lots of questions
Suyash
June 10, 2021
I also join
Reet Tiwary
June 10, 2021
Wow! The picture is just so beautiful! Being a space enthusiast myself, this picture was no less than a visual treat! Congratulations to Prathamesh Jaju!
Disha Kirti Pandey
June 10, 2021
Wow amazing
SRIRAJ
June 10, 2021
I WANT TO GO TO THE MOON AFTER 10 YEARS PLEASE MAKE TO REACH THE MOON
Himika Bhakta
June 10, 2021
I love this he is really a STAR…
I also want to go to space one day…
Taiyab
June 10, 2021
I wish to visit Mars and also to go nasa
K.Saidheepak
June 10, 2021
Sir how to become a scientist at nasa as a astrophysicst
Pratyush Mohapatra
June 10, 2021
Thanks
Anshul jat
June 10, 2021
Wow moon thank you
Shubhra
June 10, 2021
Wow
TADIVAKA PAVANA SRADDHA
June 10, 2021
Very interesting. Congratulations prathamesh sir for your discovery. Very good job sir. Don’t stop your discoveries and discover more. Thank you sir . And thank you byjus for making the students like us to get curious about these inventions. Thank you
D Srinidhi
June 10, 2021
Thank you for this lovely solar system video sir.
Ankita Sen Gupta
June 10, 2021
I love to see moon in night sky, when it’s clear.
Ankita Sen Gupta
June 10, 2021
I love to see moon in night sky
D Srinidhi
June 10, 2021
Thankyou For Lovely Solar System Video Sir