The University of Szeged Alumni and Astronomy Photographer, Gábor Hődör Takes Stunning Pictures of Celestial Events
Hődör Gábor’s photographies have already been chosen “best astronomy photo of the month” by National Geographic twice. Besides that, the SZTE alumni has already won several other competitions. His pictures are regularly published and awarded by international photography portals, the Hungarian Astronomical Association and the National Geographic Magazine.
Gábor Hődör has been interested in astronomy since his childhood. Although he has a degree in cultural mediation from the University of Szeged, he had already continuously been developing his photography skills and equipment already back during his university years.
“It has been more than a decade that I bought my very first astronomical telescope, a small, lower quality tool. However, I immediately knew that I wanted to share what I saw through the telescope with others as well” – describes the SZTE alumni the start of his career.
“At the beginning it was really just trial and error, taking pictures with my mobile phone through the telescope, but over time I gradually improved my set of tools to finally have a professional-degree equipment.”
“I’ll never forget my first, clumsy pictures I showed to my friends about the Orion Nebula and the Andromeda galaxy. Since then, I have come a long way in this hobby. In the meantime, I even took a photography course specifically to improve my astrophotography skills.”
Gábor Hődör also created a virtual, interstellar walk. Having taken detailed pictures of every element of the Orion Nebula, it was a natural step forward to present the whole feature in one video. In this film he worked with his photos taken between 2016 and 2020 which were shot by 3 different cameras, 2 telescopes and 3 different lenses.
“Right now, the pandemic situation stops me from taking astrophotos, and all I’m left with is upgrading my astronomy equipment, so that the day I can be out there again I’ll make even higher quality pictures. You pursue this hobby once most people are asleep. That’s when I head out under the starry night sky and start taking pictures, often until the brake of dawn. However, I also have a 3-year-old son so I can’t afford to be tired in the morning. It takes a lot of organization, but luckily my family completely supports this out-of-ordinary hobby of mine” – added finally Gábor Hődör.
SZTEinfo - Lévai Ferenc
Fotó: Hődör Gábor
SZTE Experience
Tamerlan Mendybayev – Faculty of Agriculture
My name is Tamerlan Mendybayev. I am from capital of Kazakhstan, Nur-Sultan. Currently I am first year student at the Faculty of Agriculture. I chose the University of Szeged as my study destination for several reasons: firstly, it is a well-known applied science institution in Europe and the best in Hungary. Secondly, the program is designed with a significant focus on the developing practical skills of the students and there is a University pilot farm where students keen their skills and implement their knowledge in practice. Undoubtedly, University of Szeged is a place where students become professionals in their academic field.
Dianne - Faculty of Science and Informatics
I am a PhD student and a Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship holder from the Philippines. I am currently pursuing my PhD in Environmental Science and I happen to be in my 3rd year of studies. I chose University of Szeged because its one of the top ranked research university in Hungary known for its good reputation in the fields of health and natural sciences. Coming from the Philippines with a warm climate, I had huge preference of Szeged for my studies, the city having the most rays of sunshine and considered to be the warmest place in Hungary. I would advise all the prospective students to join University of Szeged’s diverse and vibrant community! Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone, try to find and establish your niche in a new place like what I did. I didn’t regret coming to Szeged as it continuously provides me an enabling learning environment for various reasons, has affordable cost of living, very safe and calm university town, organized transport system, beautiful and clean surroundings with the very sightly Tisza River which adds to its appeal, and also holds many festivals throughout the year. After graduation, I am planning to go back to my home institution and continue my teaching duties at the University of the Philippines Los Baños
