Nasa and Michigan Technological University (Mtu) honored photographer Valerio Minato for a shot of the Superga basilica, the pyramid of Monviso and the crescent moon at sunset. "The most beautiful gift, an immense joy," Minato wrote on his Facebook page. The image is titled "Cathedral, Mountain, Moon."

The Nasa website explains that "single shots like this require planning. The first step is to realize that such an amazing triple alignment can occur. The second is finding the best place to photograph it. But it is the third, being at exactly the right time, with clear skies, that is the most difficult." The shot was taken on Dec. 15 at 6:52 p.m.