This museum grade fine art photograph is available in a fine art limited edition of 200, signed and numbered with a signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance.
The Great Goodnight
Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, Oregon
The 2020 Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn over Haystack Rock and the Pacific Ocean along the Oregon Coast, Cannon Beach, Oregon
The Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn shine brightly in the night sky over Haystack Rock and the Pacific Ocean as it reflects on the thin sheet of water on the beach. The conjunction was also known as "the Christmas Star" due to it occurring at night near Christmas 2020.
Historical Note
This was an extremely rare astronomical event. Jupiter and Saturn appeared less than 0.1 degrees apart. They have not appeared this close together during a conjunction since 1623, a span of almost 400 years ago. They have not appeared this close together at night since 1226, a span of almost 800 years. The next time they will appear this close together is 2080, after which they won't appear this close together until 2417. Both 2080 and 2417 will occur in the morning, not at night. The next time they will appear this close together at night is 2477.
Haystack Rock | Cannon Beach | Oregon Coast
Known as "The Christmas Star," The Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn around Christmas in December 2020 was a once in a lifetime event. It was a fitting end to a year that included NEOWISE, another once-in-a-lifetime astronomical phenomenon in the night sky. This conjunction would bring Jupiter and Saturn closer together than they had been at any point since the 1623 Great Conjunction, and the second closest together they've been since the Great Conjunction in 1226 (1623 was the only one closer together). The two planets appeared only 6.1 arcminutes apart in the sky during the 2020 conjunction, something extremely rare. They reached conjunction on December 21st, and held this close proximity through Christmas Eve, hence the nickname "The Christmas Star."
Seeing the two largest planets in our solar system in such close proximity in this sky is something I'll never forget, and it's something I'll never see again. They won't be this close again until 2080, and after that they won't be this close again until well after 2400. So, seeing and photographing the planets in close proximity like this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I've always loved Christmas and the wonders of the night sky, so the timing of this event made everything more special.
My wife and my son joined me for this, as I wasn't about to let them miss out on this experience. The weather on the Oregon Coast was typical December: cold and damp. However, mercifully the skies were clear and the Moon was at just the right phase. As the stars and planets came out, the last colors of the long set sun illuminated the horizon as the nautical twilight rainbow showed. The partial moon illuminated the foreground as Jupiter and Saturn brightly shone in the night sky, reflecting off the wet sand like a single star.
2020 may have been a tough year for most of the world, but it was one of the best years I've ever had. Chasing NEOWISE, then Bioluminescence, and ending it with this was something I'll never forget. This photo was taken at night on December 23, 2020, a bit before the clock turned to Christmas Eve. Looking back, this will always be one of my most memorable Christmas experiences out in nature, and it's certainly a memory I enjoy looking back on (especially after spending Christmas 2022 with internal bleeding, kidney failure and dangerously low blood pressure clinging to life in the hospital. I spent almost 3 weeks in the hospital before being released in January 2023, and would finally make a full recovery in early April 2023). That Christmas was a reminder to cherish everything in life, and cherish time spent with family. I'm certainly making sure to make the most of my time spent with family and I’ll be forever grateful they’ve been able to join me on journeys such as this one.
Technical Specifications
- Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
- Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
- Settings: 50mm | f/4 | 10 Seconds | ISO 3200
- Process: Single Exposure | In-Camera Long Exposure (The Mead Method) | Bespoke Multi-Layer Noise Management (Manual Masking to preserve astronomical and foreground details)
Note on Provenance
This image is a certified Single Exposure of a rare astronomical event that won't occur again at night until the year 2477, making it a true once in a lifetime occurrence. Captured using the "Mead Method" developed over 15 years of nightscape experience. No trackers, no sky-swaps, and no generative AI. Just a single moment in time, preserved.
Photo © copyright by James Mead.
Chromaluxe® Metal Prints | Gallery Float Ready to Hang
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• Signed and Numbered Limited Editions of 200
• Signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance
• Hand Crafted in the USA by our master printmakers
Please contact me for Alaska, Hawaii, and international shipping rates. Please allow 3-4 weeks for production and delivery.
These metal prints are ideal for collectors seeking a contemporary look with museum-quality output. Resistant to scratch, moisture and UV fading, they work beautifully in both home and office settings.
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Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints | Gallery Float Ready to Hang
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Bring home the brilliance of nature with the industry’s finest print medium. My Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints are crafted using a state-of-the-art process that infuses archival pigments into a transparency layer, backed by a clear acrylic backer and mounted under crystal-clear TruLife® acrylic. This creates a luminous, almost 3D effect. Colors appear to glow from within.
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• Signed and Numbered Limited Editions of 200
• Signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance
• Hand Crafted in the USA by our master printmakers
• Ready to hang out of the box: no glass or framing required
Please contact me for Alaska, Hawaii, and international shipping rates. Please allow 3-4 weeks for production and delivery.
Whether you're designing a luxury interior or curating a personal gallery, these prints are built to impress and designed to last a lifetime.
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Roma Framed Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints | Museum-Quality Ready to Hang
Timeless elegance. Unrivaled depth. A true centerpiece.
My Roma Framed Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints represent the pinnacle of archival display. These statement pieces combine the award-winning brilliance of Lumachrome HD with the craftsmanship of custom Roma wood mouldings, transforming your chosen image into an heirloom-worthy work of art.
Each piece is handcrafted by master printmakers and framers in the USA using museum-grade materials. The print itself is infused with archival pigments into a transparency layer, mounted to an archival acrylic backer and face-mounted and sealed under a 1/8" layer of crystal-clear TruLife® acrylic: a premium optically-coated surface that eliminates reflections and enhances depth, vibrance, and clarity.
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After placing your order, I’ll reach out personally to confirm your ideal frame and liner pairing from my curated Roma collection. If you’d prefer to finalize your framing choice in advance, feel free to reach out any time for a custom recommendation.
These museum grade works of art feature:
• Gallery-grade presentation with luminous depth and 3D effect
• TruLife® acrylic: anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, and blocks 99% of UV
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• Available in your choice of 3.5" or 4" Roma wood mouldings with a black linen liner for a framed, museum-grade appearance
• Museum-grade 3" black linen liner for added depth and visual separation
• Signed and Numbered Limited Editions of 200
• Signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance
• Hand Crafted in the USA by our master printmakers
• Ready to hang out of the box: no glass or framing required
Please contact me for Alaska, Hawaii, and international shipping rates. Please allow 4-5 weeks for production and delivery.
Whether displayed in a luxury residence, corporate lobby, or fine art collection, these framed prints command attention and offer a sense of permanence few art mediums can match.
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These are investment-grade art pieces designed to last generations. If you have any questions, need any mock-ups or if you need anything else before purchase, please reach out and I will be in contact shortly.