Santhosh, an award-winning photographer from Kaviyoor in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district, captured a rare moment when a commercial flight crossed the face of the waxing moon in perfect alignment. The precisely timed shot, taken after days of planning and tracking flight paths, has gone viral and drawn praise from sky-watchers worldwide.
Santhosh, a Kerala-based photographer known for his astro and nature work, meticulously tracked lunar position, flight timings, and atmospheric conditions before setting up his long lens and tripod for the shot. As the moon rose over the horizon, a commercial airliner crossed its disc at just the right instant, creating the illusion of the aircraft slicing the moon into two.
The resulting frame shows the sharply silhouetted aircraft and contrail cutting through the glowing lunar surface, a composition that demands split-second reflexes and high-precision planning. Shared on social media and photography forums, the image quickly went viral, with many calling it one of the most striking moon transit shots from India in recent years.
Santhosh has previously won multiple awards, but he describes this capture as uniquely special because of the improbability of replicating such perfect alignment. Astronomers and enthusiasts say images like this help popularise observational astronomy, inspiring more people to look up and engage with the night sky.
Key Highlights
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Kerala photographer Santhosh captures a rare shot of a plane crossing the moon’s disc in perfect alignment.
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Shot required advance planning, including tracking flight paths, lunar position, and clear-sky conditions.
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Image shows aircraft silhouette and contrail seemingly slicing the moon, creating a dramatic visual effect.
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Photo has gone viral on social media and photography communities, drawing national attention.
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Santhosh, from Kaviyoor in Pathanamthitta, is an award-winning lensman with a strong astro-photography portfolio.
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Experts say such visuals help build public interest in astronomy and night-sky observation.
Source: United News of India (UNI), social media posts featuring the image.