DIAS calls on photographers to explore the night sky in Reach for the Stars competition
Ireland’s biggest astrophotography competition Reach for the Stars is now open for entries. Organised by the School of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), the competition aims to find the best astro-photographs taken in Ireland between 26 April 2024 and 2 June 2025. This year, for the first time, under 18s can enter the smartphone category – the night sky in your hand.
Entrants may submit up to two images across five categories:
- Night sky in your hand: Images taken with only a smartphone
- Out of this world – planetary: Images of the planets, sun and moon
- Out of this world – deep sky: Images of celestial objects that exist outside our solar system such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies
- Back on Earth – landscape: Images that depict a feature of astronomical interest as a prominent feature and elements such as nature, land or water
- 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
The winning photographers in both out of this world and the back on Earth categories will receive a prize package that includes: publication of their images on the DIAS and Irish Times websites; passes to astronomical observatories in Dunsink, Armagh and Birr Castle Demesne; €500 voucher for new equipments; and a digital subscription to the Irish Times.
The winners of the public choice and the night sky in your hand categories will each receive a voucher to the value of €250 for photographic equipment, along with passes to the three astronomical observatories.
The winning and highly commended images will also be included in an exhibition at DIAS later in 2025. Furthermore, all shortlisted images will be included in an online exhibition.
“Chair of the judging panel and director of DIAS Dunsink Observatory, Prof Peter Gallagher said: “People have a natural interest and deep curiosity about the stars and the planets. The images captured each year are breathtaking and give us an insight into the beauty of the night sky. In recent times, the northern lights have been visible from Ireland, and so we look forward to seeing photographs that capture these dancing displays from across the island.”
Shortlisted entrants will be announced in late June with the public invited to vote for their favourite to win the people’s choice category at that time.
Entries will be judged by Alan Betson, The Irish Times, PPI Press Photographer of the Year; Michael McCreary, President, Irish Astronomical Society; Professor Peter Gallagher, Senior Professor and Head of Astronomy and Astrophysics at DIAS; and Dr Lisa McNamee, Co-Founder, Space Medicine Ireland.
The deadline for entries is 4 June 2025 at 5pm.
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