Honorable Mention

Mount Etna Eruption 29 - 30 April 2025
DESCRIPTION
On the night of 29–30 April, Etna displayed intense eruptive activity from its south-east crater. Lava fountains rose hundreds of metres into the sky, captured in this image from Piano Vetore showing the crater's glowing interior at the moment of ejection. Simultaneously, a molten lava flow traced fiery paths around a rocky outcrop on the southern flank. The scene recalls the cinematic moment when Sam and Frodo rest near Mount Doom. A surreal spectacle where geology and imagination converge beneath the fire-lit sky. AUTHOR
Dario Giannobile is an award-winning astrophotographer and science communicator from Sicily, Italy. With a background in economics and environmental sustainability, he combines his analytical mindset with a deep artistic sensibility to capture the beauty of the night sky and its connection to the natural and historical landscapes of his homeland.Dario’s work focuses primarily on nightscape photography, where astronomy, culture, and storytelling meet. His images often feature celestial phenomena—such as comets, eclipses, and star trails—over iconic Sicilian landmarks, creating powerful visual narratives that bridge science and emotion. His distinctive style blends technical precision with poetic vision, aiming not only to document the cosmos but to evoke wonder and reflection in the viewer.
Over the years, his photographs have been featured multiple times as NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) and published by institutions such as ESA, Sky & Telescope, and National Geographic. He is also a contributor to scientific outreach projects and regularly collaborates with observatories, schools, and associations to promote public understanding of astronomy.
Beyond photography, Dario is dedicated to raising awareness about light pollution and the importance of preserving dark skies. His work celebrates the harmony between human heritage and the universe, reminding us of our shared origins and place in the cosmos.
He lives and works in Sicily, where he continues to explore the sky with the same passion that first drew him to the stars.