When the Northern Lights dance across the sky, distant nebulae glow in vibrant colours and the Milky Way reveals its full splendour, the universe unveils a beauty that often remains hidden from the naked eye. Astrophotography brings these extraordinary celestial phenomena into view, opening a window onto worlds millions of light-years away.
On Thursday, 17 December 2026, Leica Welt in Wetzlar invites guests on a remarkable journey of discovery through the cosmos. Starting at 7:00 p.m., internationally renowned astrophotographer Stefan Seip will present an impressive selection of his photographs, sharing the passion, patience and photographic expertise behind his extraordinary images.
From Chile and Namibia to Hawaii, Stefan Seip travels to exceptional locations around the globe in search of the perfect view of the night sky. His photographs capture the remarkable diversity of astronomical phenomena, from colourful auroras and rare planetary alignments to mysterious star clusters, distant galaxies and vast nebulae where new stars are born.
But how are such extraordinary images created? What challenges do darkness, weather conditions and the immense distances of space present for photographers? And what possibilities are opened up by modern digital imaging techniques, specialised telescopes and advanced image processing? Stefan Seip takes his audience behind the scenes of his work, offering fascinating insights into how scientific understanding, technical precision and a passion for photography come together to create images of remarkable depth and detail.
His photographs are far more than impressive records of the night sky. They invite us to see the world from a different perspective, marvel at the immense scale of the universe and rediscover the beauty of our cosmic surroundings.
Following the presentation, an open Q&A session will provide an opportunity to speak with Stefan Seip and learn more about his photographic experiences, techniques and creative approach.
The presentation “The Fascination of Astrophotography” with Stefan Seip takes place on Thursday, 17 December 2026, at Leica Welt in Wetzlar. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with the presentation beginning at 7:00 p.m. The talk is expected to last approximately 90 minutes, followed by a Q&A session. Tickets cost €15 per person and are available via Eventbrite.
About Stefan Seip
Stefan Seip is an internationally recognised astrophotographer who has dedicated many years to exploring the fascinating intersection of astronomy, natural science and photography. A qualified biologist based in Stuttgart, Germany, he has gained international recognition for his exceptional images of the night sky. His photographs regularly appear in leading astronomy magazines, daily newspapers and television news broadcasts.
As the author of several specialist books on astronomy and astrophotography and a sought-after speaker, he shares his extensive knowledge with great enthusiasm. Stefan Seip is a member of the international photography collective The World at Night (TWAN) and was appointed a “Photo Ambassador” by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in 2013. What makes his work particularly distinctive is the combination of scientific curiosity, technical expertise and a remarkable sensitivity to the aesthetic beauty of the universe.
