Nepali Student in Texas Captures Rare Six-Planet Alignment

Akriti Karki, a 21-year-old aspiring aerospace engineer from Ilam, Nepal, currently based in Dallas, Texas, has captured one of the rarest cosmic spectacles visible in North America — a six-planet alignment. The event took place on August 10 between 3:53 AM and 5:47 AM, when multiple planets aligned perfectly in a single row under exceptionally rare astronomical conditions.

Armed with a telescope, technical expertise, and a deep passion for space, Akriti timed her observations precisely to ensure every planet was clearly visible in her frame. “From the hills of Ilam to the skies of Dallas, I wanted to capture something that not only fascinated me but could also inspire others to look up and connect with the cosmos,” she said.

The young space enthusiast hopes her photographs will encourage more people in Nepal to explore astronomy. She also dreams of representing Nepal on the global aerospace and astronomical stage.

“This is more than just a photograph,” Akriti added. “It’s a reminder of how vast and beautiful our universe is, and how curiosity can bridge distances from Ilam to Dallas, and from Earth to the stars.”