*Emin Mathers is a Berlin-based conceptual photographer from Azerbaijan.*
His work “NOVA III” is an artistic exploration of an imagined exoplanet. Emin explains: "the project invites viewers to engage with uncertainty, scale, and the unknown, essential conditions for any genuine discovery."
The project does not aim to replicate outer space but seeks to foster a sense of “cosmic consciousness” allowing us to keep the wonder of exploration and imagination within our engagement with space.

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The idea for NØVA III did not emerge as a single concept, but gradually formed over years of observation, speculation, and sustained attention.
What began as an intuitive fascination with distant planetary systems evolved into a long-term artistic research project that treats exoplanets not as targets of conquest, but as conceptual territories. Spaces where imagination, science, and cultural projection intersect.

NØVA III is an artistic-research project that rethinks outer space as a domain of imagination, observation, and cultural experience. Using the language of astronomy, scientific hypotheses, and visual documentation, the project explores exoplanets as possible configurations of future worlds not for occupation, but for understanding. It operates at the boundary between scientific reasoning and artistic thinking, where observation becomes a creative act and imagination functions as a research instrument.

Method of travel between the Solar System and the NØVA III Stellar System:

As time is a sense, by nullifying the sense of time within a human, without moving in three-dimensional space, the individual moves in the fourth (time) dimension. Thus, when the NØVA III stellar system, moving along the orbit of the Milky Way, coincides with the position of the Solar system, the sense of time for the astronauts is restored. As of today, we are only capable of one-way journeys since we have not yet discovered reverse movement in time, and the movement in time during the next orbit of the Solar system will return the astronauts 237 million years later.

A2 – 2 / 40.346423, 49.961000

Exoplanet A2–2 is an early morning view to the cityscape with the reflection of the sun in the windows. In fact, this is an extremely geologically active planet, with visible liquid iron seeping through its cracks.

A0 – 3 / 40.355510, 49.829617

View through the telescope to eternal flame, in fact is the closest planet to the stellar system’s central star. Because of its distance it is also a burning planet with its 8 satellites and protoplanetary disks — dense gas around the planet. There is a hypothesis coming from this observation that it can be a fractal system where the mother star heats the nearest planet to keep its thermonuclear reactions which also got its satellite system and heats its first satellite, etc.

A2 – 3 / 40.353069, 49.835654

An image through a telescope directed at the surface of the Earth, covered with greenery. In fact, this is an exoplanet with a wide variety of elements and minerals in its soil. During the expedition, the rover found weak vegetation. Judging by the composition of the upper layers of the surface, in the past it was covered with vegetable life. At it’s pole, auroras of yellow-orange hues are periodically observed.

A3 – 1 / 40.364840, 49.833160

This is the interior space of the telescope, which is considered to be empty. In fact, the exoplanet has an atmosphere of argon gas and a landscape of mercury. The temperature and pressure on the A3–1’s surface are high enough for mercury vapor to condense and become liquid. Under such conditions, they create flows, form river systems and other geological formations at the equator. In the cold season the surface of planet has a mirror shine.

The story of ‘Exploration of Exoplanets’ began with the collapse of the eighth and closest satellite of exoplanet A0 — 3 onto its surface. For three years prior to that event, humanity collected only scattered telescope images and speculative models, the only true breakthrough being the detection of the farthest exoplanet A3 — 1. Its nearly mirror-like surface reflected cosmic darkness so perfectly that its very existence remained uncertain for a long time.

But everything changed after the impact. The gravitational ripple from the satellite’s collision awakened scientific attention. First came curiosity, then a wave of observation programs, and finally, commercial interest. A new idea emerged: to explore these ten distant worlds not only for knowledge, but also for the possibility of future cosmic engineering, constructing an artificial planet orbiting the NØVA III star using the valuable resources found within this exoplanetary system. Thus began humanity’s bold new chapter, venturing into the unexplored cosmic realms of NØVA III, where each discovery reshapes our understanding of the universe and challenges our imagination of what lies beyond.

10/11/22 21:37 +4 GMT

With intention to see more, the spacecraft KVM1L in NØVA III got closer to the epicenter of actions and here is what we — humanity see from this cosmic event! First time during the history of observation NØVA III stellar system there was detected exoplanetary activity. It was on A0–3.

11/11/22 16:26 +4 GMT

After yesterday’s hyperactivity on A0–3, broadcasting the latest condition of the exoplanet. While waiting for complete calm to see the consequences of this cosmic event.

“Orbital view / Exoplanet A3 – 1, NØVA III / 2024, 1”

30/12/24 08:43 GMT Our third probe to the Exoplanet A3–1, equipped with an advanced internal levitational platform, has successfully arrived to it’s orbit. Upon entering the planet’s magnetosphere, the probe captured a detailed image of its natural satellite. This newly documented celestial body has been named — X37. The imagery reveals surface features that warrant further investigation in future missions. Stay tuned for updates as we uncover more about this enigmatic exoplanet and its relationship with the satellite.

Hypothesis on extraterrestrial life forms based on the naturalistic fantasy concept of NØVA III and Sacred Geometry

Abstract: This column explores a hypothesis concerning potential extraterrestrial life forms based on the principles of the NØVA III concept and sacred geometry. The hypothesis suggests that extraterrestrial beings may resemble life forms on Earth due to shared principles of sacred geometry and a unified consciousness foundation in the universe. It proposes that variations in planetary environments could positively influence the evolution of life forms to those on Earth. As example, the current vibration background on Earth contributes to the prosperity on all continents of species, such as mice, pigeons, cats, dogs and higher evolution of humans. The hypothesis proposes the existence of analogous life forms on other planets, with evidence suggesting evolved life forms resembling Earth’s ants on exoplanet A2 — 2 and flora similar to Earth’s on exoplanet A2 — 3. This hypothesis presents an opportunity for conscious communication with what are termed “primitive consciousnesses” on Earth before seeking contact with other forms beyond its borders. Furthermore,by studying common communication frequencies on Earth, researchers may identify corresponding signs on other planets and stellar systems.

Entrance / Exoplanet A2 – 2, NØVA III / 2023, 1

10/09/23 18:13 +4GMT The first images of the cave’s interior. We can draw conclusions about the observed structures based on the analysis of the available information and data.

Cave city / Exoplanet A2 – 2, NØVA III / 2023, 1

16/11/23 11:11 +4GMT During the expeditions, a large number of cities and megalopolises by human standards were discovered beneath the surface of the exoplanet. Based on the findings, a theory emerged that after the fragmentation of the plates, the release of a large amount of heat into the atmosphere of A2 — 2, and the discovery of underground reservoirs, these creatures moved into caves. Given the scale of the settlements, this period lasted a long time until the concentration of harmful gases and/or the depletion of scarce resources brought an end to this civilization’s era.

Life / Exoplanet A2 – 3, NØVA III / 2023, 1

21/01/23 12:47 +4GMT “We solemnly announce that for the first time we observe life on an exoplanet. Transmitted clear evidence of vegetative objects on A2–3. This opens up great opportunities for the colonization of its surface.” — posted the head of the mission on his X account.

Forest / Exoplanet A2 – 3, NØVA III / 2025, 1

03/03/25 03:25 GMT New observations leave no doubt — exoplanet A2–3 hosts a biosphere. Latitudes above the equatorial zones are teeming with clusters of plant-like islands, seemingly forming small patches to retain moisture. This mechanism appears to sustain life even in the planet’s extreme heat.

The great canyon / Exoplanet A2 – 3, NØVA III / 2025, 1

12/03/25 09:55 GMT It was established that on A2–3, heavy water (D₂O) dominates instead of H₂O. This suggests a form of life with a slower metabolism, altered biopolymer structures, and increased resistance to environmental factors. This unique biochemistry, based on heavy water rather than regular H₂O. In its descent, the probe collected molecular deuterium (D₂) from atmosphere. At its lowest point, it successfully scanned a crustal fissure 5 km deep. The engines then activated automatically, utilizing stored D₂ in an ion thruster to gradually raise its orbit. In 13 hours, it is expected to return to space.

For humanity, the project serves as a cultural rehearsal for future encounters with the cosmos. It prepares perception rather than technology, offering a human-centered framework for approaching environments beyond Earth. For the individual, NØVA III functions as an internal experience: a reminder that exploration begins with attention, patience, and the courage to imagine without immediate utility.

For me, this work represents a commitment to long-duration thinking. It is a space where intuition and structure coexist, where questions are valued more than answers, and where art does not describe the world, it quietly helps bring new worlds into being.

Emin Mathers,
Earth, Solar system, 2025, 1

Emin Mathers: Developing “NØVA III” as an Artistic Research