The Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester is currently featuring Ancient Light, an online exhibit of nine spectacular celestial images created by Acton photographer Marsha Wilcox. The exhibit runs from July 10 through October 8, 2023, and can be accessed via https://griffinmuseum.org/show/marsha-wilcox-ancient-light/. [Editor’s note: As of October 29, 2023, the exhibit is still up and accessible. No new closing date has been announced.]
The exhibit title reminds viewers that the light in these images traveled for many thousands, sometimes millions, of years at the speed of light to reach Wilcox’s earth-bound telescope and camera. Wilcox constructed the images by combining many individual images captured over tens of hours with an automated system that kept the telescope focused on the same spot in the night sky. Specialized filters account for the vivid colors.
Sometimes Wilcox travels with her telescopes to dark-sky localities throughout the eastern U.S. But many of her images are captured right from her driveway in east Acton. Three golden retrievers keep her company through the long cold nights.
In reflecting on this work for the museum exhibit, Wilcox wrote: “I’ve loved looking at the night sky all my life…hearing the siren song that has called humanity look to the heavens since the dawn of time.” More of her photography can be seen on her website.