Stunning astronomical photos from the darkest place in the world

Minkov spent nearly a year planning the trip - Photo: MIHAIL MINKOV

Minkov, who is based in Bulgaria, spent nearly a year planning his trip to the other side of the world. His stunning astrophotography images were recently published by PetaPixel .

“Ever since I started pursuing astrophotography, I’ve always dreamed of setting foot in the Atacama Desert in Chile, one of the darkest places on Earth, free of light pollution,” Minkov told PetaPixel . “It’s no coincidence that some of the world’s largest and most famous astronomical observatories are located here.”

Minkov said that while in Chile, he learned about a large-scale wind farm project that could increase light pollution in the area by about 35%. “This would be disastrous for observatories and the work of many Chilean scientists,” he said.

After many challenges, his reward is dreamlike scenery - Photo: MIHAIL MINKOV

He also traveled to Bolivia and Easter Island, accompanied by eight other passionate photographers.

Minkov said he was most excited about the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia. This is the world's largest salt flat, covering more than 10,000 square kilometers. "At an altitude of 3,700 meters, the night sky is truly spectacular. Plus, the water reflects like a mirror, creating an unbelievable scene," Minkov recalled.

The journey was not without its challenges, however. Twenty days is a long time for a father of two young children and a working wife. "The last three days were really difficult. I missed my family a lot," Minkov admitted.

The altitude was also a major challenge. His team spent four days at 3,700m, then climbed nearly 5,000m, then descended 2,600m before reaching Easter Island. They also endured extreme temperature swings, from a humid 30°C to -10°C.

“What kept us going was the breathtaking views, the amazing photos, and of course, the delicious food,” Minkov shared.

Despite having prepared a lot for the trip, Minkov still needed support from local people - Photo: MIHAIL MINKOV

Minkov confidently considers himself a professional photographer after six years in the profession - Photo: MIHAIL MINKOV

Minkov was also accompanied by eight other passionate photographers, making the experience even more special - Photo: MIHAIL MINKOV

Minkov considered the trip a "field survey" and planned to return next year - Photo: MIHAIL MINKOV

Everyone was excited and inspired by the breathtaking locations - Photo: MIHAIL MINKOV

A photo taken in the Atacama Desert, Chile - Photo: MIHAIL MINKOV

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chum-anh-thien-van-tuyet-dep-o-noi-troi-toi-nhat-the-gioi-20250329230740114.htm