A breathtaking exhibition featuring spectacular astrophotography is now on display in Straßwalchen, Austria, showcasing the remarkable work of renowned astrophotographer Rochus Hess. The exhibition, titled "Light Catchers - The Universe in Pictures," presents stunning images captured by Hess, a member of the Astronomy Working Group at the House of Nature and one of Austria's most experienced astrophotographers. The display features 30 large-format astrophotographs that reveal distant galaxies, glowing gas nebulae, comets, and planets in breathtaking colors.

The process behind these extraordinary images requires extraordinary patience and technical expertise. Hess and his colleagues at the VEGA Observatory on Haunsberg mountain, located between Obertrum, Nussdorf, and Anthering, spend months or even years capturing single images. The camera sensor collects sparse light from the depths of space over many hours, with individual exposures eventually combined using specialized software to create the final image. "The camera sensor sees more than our eyes, and through the hours-long exposure time, these structures become visible," Hess explains.

The technical process involves hundreds of individual exposures rather than one continuous shot. "We don't expose for three hours continuously, but make various exposures of ten minutes in length. We take dozens or hundreds of shots," Hess describes. This meticulous approach is essential because of the minimal amount of light available from distant celestial objects. Weather conditions must be perfect for each session - there can be no moon, no clouds, and no atmospheric interference.

One of the most impressive pieces in the exhibition is an image of a nebula without a name, which required Hess and his colleague Bernd Wallner three full years to complete, with a total exposure time of 50 hours. "There must be no moon, the weather must be beautiful, no fog - the conditions must always be right," Wallner explains. This dedication exemplifies the extraordinary commitment required for deep-space astrophotography.

Hess's passion for space and its magic began in childhood and has developed into professional expertise that serves both artistic and scientific purposes. Recently retired from his career as an IT technician, Hess can now dedicate even more time to his astronomical pursuits, much to the delight of his colleagues at the VEGA Observatory. "He is our star and makes not only fantastic pictures, but they also have technical and scientific content," emphasizes Helmut Windhager, director of the VEGA Observatory at the House of Nature.

The exhibition opened Friday evening in the gallery of the senior living facility in Straßwalchen, Hess's hometown, in collaboration with the local cultural association. Visitors can view these spectacular images of the cosmos through mid-January 2026, offering the public a rare opportunity to experience the beauty and mystery of deep space through the lens of one of Austria's most accomplished astrophotographers.