Attempts were not in vain: NASA called this photo of the Moon over Italy Astronomy Picture of the Day

Taking the perfect photo is not easy. And it's even harder to take it at night. However, an Italian photographer managed to do it. He is the author of an incredible photo of the moon floating over Italy. It was not the first time he took this photo: it took him 6 years. But the effort was worth it: it turned out so beautiful that it looks like is it made in Photoshop!

The photographer's work was even recognized by NASA. The photo was named the best astronomical photo of December 25.

As NASA explains, such single shots require planning.

"The first step is to realize that you need to apply triple alignment. The second step was to find the best place to take the picture. The third step - to be there at the right time and when the sky was clear - was the hardest part. Five times in six years, the photographer tried to find the optimal weather. Finally, just ten days ago, the weather was perfect, and the photographer's dream came true."

Valerio Minato, the photographer's name, took the photo in Piedmont. The cathedral in the foreground is the Superga Basilica, the mountain in the middle is Monviso, and the moon is in the background.