Merry Christmas from Under the Stars

As the year winds down and the holiday lights glow a little brighter, I just want to take a moment to say THANK YOU.

This year has been filled with incredible support, from every Instagram like and comment, to Facebook shares, messages of encouragement, and conversations that remind me why I love this community so much. Seeing you all get outside, look up, and spend time under the stars has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.

Photography especially night photography, isn’t just about images. It’s about connection. Connection to the landscape. Connection to the sky. And connection to one another. Whether you’ve joined me on a workshop, followed along online, or simply shared your own night-sky images, your support truly means more than you know.

🌌 A Small Christmas Gift for You

As a thank-you, I wanted to share a little Christmas gift with you a 2026 Astrophotography Moon & Night Sky Calendar that you can download and keep as a quick reference guide for the year ahead.

This calendar highlights:

• 🌑 New Moon dates for dark-sky astrophotography

• ✨ Best windows to photograph the stars without moonlight

• 🌠 Notable celestial events like major meteor showers

It’s designed to be simple, clean, and easy to reference while planning trips, shoots, or late-night adventures under the stars.

👉 Download the 2026 Astrophotography Calendar here

Astro 2026 Year Planner Calendar.pdf

Download PDF • 32.10MB

-Important Disclaimer

Please note:This calendar is most accurate for the Northern Hemisphere and is intended as a general planning guide. Moon phases, rise/set times, and celestial event visibility can vary based on location, elevation, and time zone. Always use local planning tools (such as PhotoPills or PlanIt Pro) for precise timing.

✨ Looking Ahead

As we head into a new year, my hope is that you continue to chase curiosity, adventure, and those quiet moments beneath the night sky. Thank you for being part of this journey, your encouragement, kindness, and shared passion make all of this possible.

From my family to yours,🎄 Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and clear skies

I’ll see you out there… under the stars.

—Michael Simmons

Distant Light Photos