Chasing the Night from the Sibillini Mountains to the Adriatic Coast: Simone Curzi
NGC 1999 by Simone Curzi and ShaRA Team - Finalist Astronomy Photographer of the Year (APY), 2024
Simone Curzi
My name is Simone Curzi, and I am an Italian astrophotographer from San Benedetto del Tronto, a seaside town on the Adriatic coast in the heart of the Marche region, central Italy.
My passion for astronomy began as a child. I was fascinated by science-fiction films and stories about space exploration.
Only in the past few years have I seriously begun chasing the stars, between imaging sessions from my home sky, a Bortle 5, and nights under the pristine skies of the Sibillini Mountains, which I reach whenever possible with my family.
Nowadays, our weekends and holidays are planned more by looking at light pollution maps than tourist guides, a habit that perfectly reflects how deeply this passion has become part of our lives.
When One Door Closes, Another Opens
I started by chance. As a kid, I was a huge fan of science-fiction and nurtured my curiosity for space through movies, comics, video games, and documentaries.
During my university years, while studying economics, I often skipped lectures to attend astrophysics classes with one of my roommates, a quiet passion that was waiting to resurface.
A few years ago, after a heartbreak and a cancelled wedding, I decided to turn the page. I used part of the savings I had set aside for the ceremony to buy my first telescope, a Celestron C9.25. I still remember the struggle to achieve focus, the frustration of failed attempts, and the wonder of finally seeing Saturn and its rings after days of effort and countless forum searches.
Thanks to the internet, I discovered that I could connect a DSLR camera to the telescope, and that’s how my love for astrophotography began.
And as often happens, from one closed door came something beautiful: using the oldest excuse in the book, “come see the stars”, I met the love of my life, and together we recently welcomed our first child.
Barnard 150 Ou4 Sh2-129 by Simone Curzi
Hardware & Software
I started late, but I quickly caught up and built a respectable arsenal. Today I use a RedCat 51, UltraCat 76, Esprit 120, and C8, mounted on ZWO AM5 and SkyWatcher EQ6-R Pro, paired with ZWO ASI 2600MM and ASI 6200MM cameras, along with a long list of accessories: electronic focusers, field rotators, guide scopes, filters, and automation systems. I love my equipment, and I enjoy fine-tuning every component to make it as efficient and precise as possible.
At the same time, I am equally passionate about the intangible side of this hobby, study and post-processing. I’ve spent countless hours learning and still do. I began with simple Italian YouTube tutorials on PixInsight, then expanded to follow the international astrophotography scene, creators, educators, and scientists from all over the world. I stay constantly up to date on new techniques, PixInsight scripts, software innovations, and AI-based tools.
When bad weather keeps me indoors, I spend the night at my computer experimenting and refining my workflows. Recently, at the request of some friends, I began teaching PixInsight, and I discovered a side of myself I didn’t know: the joy of sharing knowledge and seeing my students make visible progress.
My Style and Working Philosophy
I mainly focus on deep-sky wide-field astrophotography. I strive to merge detail and composition, often including -in the same frame- very different elements, dark nebulae, reflection regions, star fields, and bright stars, creating a dialogue between light and shadow that reveals the complexity of the cosmos.
The more challenging the target, the more it motivates me to give my best. I have a deep respect for my data and for the subjects I capture, and I’m not a fan of overprocessed images.
Experience has taught me that the secret to a great image lies in a high-quality master, and the secret to a great master is integration, integration, and more integration. When the data are solid, only a few careful and respectful steps are needed to bring out their natural beauty.
The Drive for Competition
“I’ll never forget the day I received my APOD: I was on a train coming home from work, and I burst into tears while calling my family to tell them.”
IC 2118 by Simone Curzi - NASA APOD 2024
I’m a perfectionist and a harsh critic, especially of myself. I’m rarely fully satisfied with my work; even small imperfections can bother me. But that drive to improve has become an essential part of how I live this passion.
Discovering the existence of a competitive scene in astrophotography came naturally to me, I love to challenge myself and to compare my results with others who share the same passion.
Over the years, I’ve participated in many international contests and competitions, achieving significant recognition and awards, including NASA’s APOD, victory at the European AstroFest, and several titles and honourable mentions in some of the world’s most prestigious competitions.
I’ll never forget the day I received my APOD: I was on a train coming home from work, and I burst into tears while calling my family to tell them.
Or the moment in London at the European AstroFest 2024, when my name was announced before a crowd of thousands, experiences that fill the heart and give you the strength to keep improving.
I know not everyone understands the competitive side of this hobby, but for me, participating in contests, studying, and pushing myself are positive motivations that help me grow and make me feel alive.
Connections with People and Place
At first, my journey was a lonely one, I didn’t know anyone, neither in person nor online. But as my skills improved, I began to build connections that eventually led me to what I now consider my second family: the Forca Canapine Astronomical Association.
I’ll admit that I was initially sceptical about joining an association, but my new friends completely changed my perspective. I discovered the value of doing something for others without expecting anything in return.
We’re not just a group of stargazers; we’re a community that devotes part of its free time to public outreach, education, light pollution awareness, and most importantly, to reviving our region.
Our association operates in the Sibillini Mountains, a breathtaking area that was severely affected by the 2016 earthquake. Even today, many residents still live in temporary housing, and entire communities are struggling to rebuild.
We started small, with school lessons, public events, and local exhibitions, and over time created our flagship event: the Sibillini AstroFest, a festival that combines astronomy, culture, tourism, and local traditions, bringing thousands of visitors from all over Italy to the heart of the earthquake zone each year.
Advice and Outlook
I’m not sure I’m the right person to give advice, but everything I’ve learned has come through experience, and mistakes.
For anyone just starting out, my first suggestion is to take it slow. Before buying expensive equipment, talk to experienced observers or join a local astronomy club.
Spend a few nights under the stars to understand what truly inspires you. This hobby requires patience, curiosity, and the desire to learn, avoiding impulsive purchases or comparisons with others. Astrophotography today is far more accessible, technology has lowered the learning curve, and online resources are abundant. If I managed to do it, anyone can.
And my final piece of advice is this:
It’s a passion, and as such, it should make us feel good and have fun, not to argue or divide.
Too often I see harsh comments online, people criticizing smartphone Moon shots or dismissing smart telescopes because they automate the process. But who cares? This is a passion, and it should bring people together, not drive them apart.
As for me, my goals are clear: I want to keep improving as a photographer, a teacher, and an event organizer. There’s always room to grow, and I’ll never stop trying.
Clear and dark skies to all.
NGC 3169, NGC 3166 and NGC 3165 by Simone Curzi
