NASA selects Sicilian astrophotography as Astronomy Picture of the Day

NASA has selected a composite photograph by astrophotographer Dario Giannobile as its Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) for October 1, 2026. Titled ‘Harvest Moon with Erupting Mount Etna’, the image captures the Harvest Moon rising over the Sicilian landscape near Nicosia.

The photograph features Mount Etna in the background, displaying ash and gas emissions against a darkening sky. As a composite image, it illustrates the progression of the Moon rising while the sky transitions from twilight to darkness. The composition also includes the ‘Belt of Venus’, a pink atmospheric band visible shortly after sunset or before sunrise.

NASA’s scientific commentary highlights the apparent motion of the Moon, the changing colors of the sky, and the volcanic activity of Etna. The Harvest Moon refers to the full moon occurring near the autumnal equinox, traditionally associated with the harvest season in the Northern Hemisphere.