Tyrone’s astrophotographers urged to ‘reach for the stars’

IF you are a star at snapping celestial beauty, then an upcoming competition launched by Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies’ (DIAS) is for you.

The Institute has, once again, returned with its annual astrophotography competition, titled ‘Reach for the Stars’, and it is calling on Tyrone’s budding astro-photographers to submit their best images.

This year the competition has added a new category, the ‘Night Sky in Your Hand’ – a mobile phone category to encourage more people to get involved.

The competition, now open for entries, is seeking the best astro-photographs taken in Ireland over the period of April 28, 2023 to May 10, 2024.

It is calling for submissions under five distinct categories:

1. ‘Night Sky in Your Hand’: Images taken with only a smartphone, and without telescopes, of an astronomical scene.

2. ‘Out of this World – Planetary’: Images of the planets, sun and moon.

3. ‘Out of this World – Deep Sky’: Images of celestial objects that exist outside our solar system such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies.

4. ‘Back on Earth – Landscape’: Images that depict a feature of astronomical interest as a prominent feature and elements such as nature, land or water.

5. ‘Back on Earth – Landmark’: Images that depict a feature of astronomical interest as a prominent feature and elements such as cityscapes, buildings, houses, historical structures or monuments.

‘Reach for the Stars’ is open to everyone – whether you are a seasoned professional or amateur with a love for astronomy. Entrants are encouraged to follow the competition guidelines carefully when making the submission to ensure your images are eligible.

‘Glittering galaxies’

Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of Astronomy and Astrophysics at DIAS and member of the judging panel, said that he is looking forward to seeing what this year’s submissions have in store.

“There are lots of astronomical events coming up in April alone,” he said. “We’ve just had a solar eclipse, and Lyrid’s meteor shower will take place later this month, along with a full moon before the closing date of the competition – so there are plenty of opportunities for people in Tyrone to get out there and capture some shots.

“The night sky can be enjoyed by everyone – we’ve had everything from glittering galaxies to incredible skyscapes entered over the past three years, and we’re looking forward to seeing what this year’s submissions have in store!”

Competition Details

Entrants may submit up to two images per category to the competition. The deadline for entries is 5pm on Friday, May 10.

The winning photographers in the ‘Out of this World’ and ‘Back on Earth’ categories, as selected by the judging panel, will receive a prize package that includes:

• Publication of their images on the DIAS and Irish Times websites;
• Passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland – Dunsink Observatory, Armagh Observatory and Birr Castle Demesne;
• A €500 voucher for photographic / telescopic equipment; and
• A 12-month digital subscription to The Irish Times.

The winner of the ‘Public Choice’ category, as voted for by the public, and the winner of the Night Sky in Your Hand category will receive a voucher to the value of €250 for photographic / telescopic equipment, along with passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland – Dunsink Observatory (Race to Space Escape Room), Armagh Observatory and Birr Castle Demesne.

It is DIAS’s intention that the winning and highly-commended images will also be included in an exhibition at DIAS during 2024. Furthermore, all shortlisted images will be included in an online exhibition – for the purposes of the public vote on the competition website: reachforthestars.ie

Further information, please visit: www.reachforthestars.ie