Polish photographer Wioleta Gorecka has been recognized with NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day title for her photograph of a partial solar eclipse that took place over Iceland on March 29, 2025. The photograph captures the moment when the Moon obscures about 70% of the solar disk, creating a spectacular sight against the Icelandic landscape.
The partial solar eclipse of March 29 as seen from Iceland. Photo by Wioleta Gorecka
Astronomy Picture of the Day
APOD is a daily updated service run by NASA, showcasing unique images and photographs related to astronomy. Each photo is accompanied by a brief description that brings the context and significance of the phenomenon depicted.
To capture the solar eclipse, Gorecka climbed to the top of the 170-meter-high dormant Grábrók volcano. Conditions were difficult due to strong, frigid winds and the need to find a suitable spot with perfect cloud cover. The photograph was taken when the Sun was already relatively high in the sky, further complicating the task.
Passion for astrophotography
Violeta Gorecka began her adventure with photography 16 years ago after moving to Iceland, where she first encountered the auroras. Her interest in the cosmos has grown since childhood, resulting in numerous awards and publications in prestigious magazines such as Sky & Telescope.
This is Gorecka’s second photo that won NASA recognition. On August 15, 2023, her photograph showing the aurora borealis over the Fagradalsfjall volcano and emissions from the Svartsengi geothermal power plant was also selected as APOD .
Currently, Gorecka is professionally involved in photography as well as organizing astro-expeditions with Michal Kalużny to the darkest corners of the world, such as Namibia and the island of Lastovo. The purpose of these expeditions is to allow participants to observe and photograph the night sky in places free from light pollution.
The problem of light pollution
Gorecka draws attention to the problem of light pollution, which hinders observation of the night sky. She points out that as much as 75% of the world’s population has never seen the Milky Way, a result of excessive lighting in cities and villages. He calls for greater government involvement in solving this problem, which not only affects astronomy, but also energy conservation and human health.
In recent months, several Polish photographers have been awarded the APOD title, including Marcin Rosadziński (three times), Mariusz Durlej, Antoni Zegarski, Marcin Ślipko, Daniel Koszela, Ireneusz Nowak and Włodzimierz Bubak. This highlights the high level of Polish astrophotography and the growing interest in this field in the country.
Sources: Astronomia Dnia, Astronomia Dnia, Instagram TVP Świat
