It’s difficult to capture the vast beauty of the night sky in a single image.
In 2009, Metsavainio began taking high-resolution photos of celestial objects within the galaxy.
He accumulated images of nebulae and stars in shots taken from his observatory in urban Oulu, Finland.
Some gaps appeared and required photographing to complete the image.
In the end, the artist stitched a total of 234 panels in Photoshop.
The finalGreat Mosaicis a view of 125 degrees of the night sky, from the constellations Taurus to Cygnus.
Smaller panels from the mosaic.
About 20 million stars are visible.
The artist prides himself on using consumer-level equipment and following his sense of wonder to create these stunning images.
I stand in speechless adoration before everything I am able to see, Metsavainio’sbiostates.
234 panels combined by J-P Metsavainio.
When art meets science, the results can be beautiful.
It can become something more than either of them on their own can ever be.
These works are not only aesthetically beautiful, they are true.
The view covered by the Great Mosaic of the Milky Way.
TheGreat Mosaicis also available for purchase.
Metsavainio began selling the prints when the image went viral, enchanting viewers around the world with its beauty.
Smaller panels from the mosaic.
Sharpless 205, NGC 1491 and Lynds Bright Nebula 696, a panel from the Great Mosaic.
Over 100,000 pixels wide, the image contains a 120-degree view and 20 million stars.
234 panels combined by J-P Metsavainio.
The 234 panel images are also beautiful, independent works of art.
California Nebula, NGC 1499, surrounded by stars.
The view covered by the Great Mosaic of the Milky Way.
Sharpless 205, NGC 1491 and Lynds Bright Nebula 696, a panel from the Great Mosaic.
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Sharpless 124 and the Cocoon nebula with a dark gas stream at bottom.
California Nebula, NGC 1499, surrounded by stars.
Sharpless 124 and the Cocoon nebula with a dark gas stream at bottom.
