'Project Hail Mary' end credits showcase stunning nebula photos captured over 400 hours by a single astrophotographer — here's the inside story

image via Space.com

April 1, 2026, 8:00 PM

• •Prazeres' astrophotography journey began in July 2023 with a view of the Omega Nebula.
• •His images took 396 hours to capture using specialized equipment.
• •The images used in the movie's credit sequence intentionally omitted stars to avoid interference with subtitles.
• •Prazeres' contribution to 'Project Hail Mary' was a dream come true.

Astrophotographer Rod Prazeres received a surprising Instagram message from a production company seeking to license his images for a sci-fi movie, initially suspecting a scam. After months of discussions and a non-disclosure agreement, Prazeres' astrophotography appeared in the credits of 'Project Hail Mary'. Prazeres' work, including images of nebulae, was chosen to provide a realistic backdrop, a testament to his dedication to astrophotography and the unexpected journey from his initial suspicion to the silver screen.

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